Grenfell Tower

[RhythmAndStealth]

Watching the news just now and I can't believe my eyes. It looks absolutely horrific.

I want to think everyone got out safe, but sadly I just can't.

Some of the news reports are about alleged poor safety standards and dangerous living conditions. If that's true it just beggars belief.

Coraldreamscapes
Thank you. We are not directly affected thank god and slept until 5am and missed the horrifying sights reported. We ran to the window to see the whole place in flames and it was absolutely shocking.

Everyone in the street has been round with clothes and bedding. Now to fund raise. My heart goes out to all those directly affected.

As a firefighter said earlier - if you pour water from above , all you do is push the smoke inwards, which doesnt keep those inside alive.

And those gigantic cranes are a) not necessarily moveable - they get built and dismantled in situ , and b , too big to get to the block . If you knew it , you would know that the access road is tiny .

Yes it's going on a long time - because they are being safe and thorough . This is real life , not a 60 minute drama . Who are you , Eamonn Holmes ?

oops sorry

Those poor, poor people. This is just horrific.

It seems likely that most of those living in this building would have been renting and possibly would have no insurance. They've lost everything

What equipment is available to rescue people from such high buildings?

coolcarrie that has got to be the strangest query ever- don't you think I'd be rather too busy today to be sat on MN if I were?

I don't have any current connection with the company at all, and I have said so very clearly

18 remain in critical care.

Changed, I would give up if I were you. Some pp don't want to read reasonable statements, they want to react hysterically and blame wildly without having a clue what they are talking about.

It seems likely that most of those living in this building would have been renting and possibly would have no insurance. They've lost everything

Not much consolation, but the insurer for the party who is responsible for the fire will be liable for the costs of the residents' belongings (and injuries). So even if the residents didn't have insurance themselves, they should be compensated (in time).

Won't be much comfort for anyone at the moment I'm sure.

The news reports are so harrowing.

I completely agree cathf. It's cringy and very witch hunty- so strange that that's exactly the thing many posters are saying they're not doing.

Luckily professional bodies will do a proper investigation in time.

No current connection...?! Yes, do give up, as cathf says, after all she makes such sensible comments herself...

Thanks all for your messages.

We've not heard anything as yet. Just praying that she is among the survivors who - we are told - are still inside...

Not much consolation, but the insurer for the party who is responsible for the fire will be liable for the costs of the residents' belongings (and injuries). So even if the residents didn't have insurance themselves, they should be compensated (in time).

Really?

I don't think I would hold out much hope for your belongings being compensated for by an insurer other than your own.

Can you imagine losing every single one of your belongings ?

The long term effects are unimaginable.

Insurance documents - I can't always remember who I'm with for house /car etc
Driving license ,Bank cards,Medication,Photos,Clothes,Proof of education ,Furniture ,Jewellery etc Just awful.

I feel so desperately sorry for these people. Once the tv cameras leave and the initial help and concern the public are now giving fades, the victims will have months , if not years of struggle to try and rebuild their lives and minds.

plomino thank you for explaining what others have already said -(note I have already apologised), however there was no need to be rude.
I know nothing about those cranes- it was just an idea born out of desperation - how long does it takes to erect one then? Do you actually know? presumably a lot quicker if a huge number of people were working together..
I certainly do not think this appalling disaster and lost of life is a drama.
I think your condescending tone is not helpful to any one.

I said at the beginning Cool I worked for them. Years ago before I gave up work to look my children. I haven't tried to hide that.

Do you really think anyone connected with the company would be worried about mumsnet today?

I think your ideas are a bit strange to be honest, and quite self important.

Insurance payouts take years ! And in the meantime people have to just get on with things .

Insurance documents - I can't always remember who I'm with for house /car etc

I take a photo of my policy and email it to myself and save in my 'insurance' folder in gmail. Hopefully I never need it but still.

Kokusai, they will have to, because legally they are liable.

Most companies that aren't large will buy insurance for third party liability (which this would be) for £10m though, and I suspect the cost of this will be significantly more than that.

User those massive cranes can take days to erect ! And have to put together by skilled , trained people. Then they have to be checked by health and safety . It could be a week before they can be used and that's if one is available and there's room for it to be erected !

Brilliant idea Kokusai

I have all documents in a file in my kitchen - useless if they go
Up in flames .

Can't believe some of you are arguing over petty shite on this thread.

Shame on you, seriously.

I studied construction & building materials at university. Reinforced concrete buildings don't normally flare up like this. In fact, one of the few reasons a high-rise building would even have concrete in its structure (since steel frame is perfectly solid, strong, and far lighter) is to shield the steel from heat in the event of a fire.

From the way it has spread, it looks like this fire quickly propagated because of outside cladding that was put in place during recent renovations. It is impossible for any building material legally purchased & used in the UK to NOT be at least fire retardant (very slow to catch fire & burn), or with regular non-combustible partitions, if not all non-combustible.

Someone has caused this tragedy through ignorance, greed, and/or criminal negligence. Heads should roll.

Changed cathf this is definitely a tragedy. And quite possibly a scandal.

People are shocked, horrified, sickened, outraged, worried...not hysterical.

This type of tragedy deserves a fuss. It deserves serious questions being asked. It warrants scrutiny. Members of the public are acting appropriately when they want to know what happened, how it could have been prevented, how it can be prevented from happening again.

Downplaying things, saying everything will be fine, don't make a fuss, it'll be taken care of without the likes of you asking awkward questions- exactly the sort of attitude and practices that fosters accidents and tragedies.

I really hope local authorities are reviewing the use of this cladding among other things. It's probably been used in buildings across the U.K.