Grenfell Tower inquiry sparks public outcry

The release of the first phase of the Grenfell Tower inquiry has produced a massive public outcry over the failure of the London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) response to the tragedy that killed 72 people in 2017.

According to Press TV, bereaved family members stood in silence for 72 seconds – one for each of those killed by the 14 June 2017 blaze – following Wednesday’s publication of the report, which noted that fewer people would have died in the fire if the LFB had taken certain actions earlier.

Those who died in the fire were told by firefighters for nearly two hours to stay put in the building as it was engulfed in flames, the report noted. The strategy to stay in their flats was rescinded at 02:47 BST.

“That decision could and should have been made between 01:30 and 01:50 local time and would be likely to have resulted in fewer fatalities,” inquiry Chairman, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, wrote in the report.

Moreover, firefighters lacked the training on how best to combat the fire, which quickly enveloped the cladding of the building.

“However brave the firefighters were, there was a serious lack of common sense. They didn’t see, especially at senior levels, what was so vivid in front of them,” said Nazanin Aghlani, the daughter of one of the victims. “We look at firefighters as heroes ... but they are not heroes, they are professionals. It’s quite evident that the whole LFB ... is in the hands of people that are incapable of their jobs. They should be prosecuted [for corporate manslaughter]. I’m not saying individual firemen, they do a hard job ... but the seniors at the top get good money to do a very serious job.”

Meanwhile, Labour Leader, Jeremy Corbyn, said the Grenfell tragedy was avoidable, adding that all the survivors “deserve a new home and safety and security in this country”.

The report follows the first phase of the inquiry, with a second phase expected to focus on wider circumstances of the fire, including the design of the building.

Many people, however, said that the inquiry will fail to bring about real change.

ME