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.

I work in an office building of similar size.

we have 4 escape stairs and 4 fire lifts. how come a residential building like this has only one staircase?

namechange20050
I used to work in property management; implementing fire and health and safety risk assessments for large blocks of flats. A block like this should have a mains alarm system with sensors in each flat. There should also be fire doors in the common ways and in the flats to contain any fire that does break out. I would also expect a block like this to have a dry riser (so water can be pumped up into the block by the fire brigade). I am horrified and mystified at what could have gone so wrong in this case

Say if it's the outside that caught fire first? Common cause is a dropped cigarette from a higher floor setting alight something on a lower balcony.

That advice to stay in the flat in case of fire is fucking irresponsible.

Also no way of telling how many people were in a particular flat - there are probably a lot of shift workers, sub-lets & probably some over occupancy. The whole of West London is very mixed socially & racially.

That advice to stay in the flat in case of fire is fucking irresponsible.

This is actually sound, tested advice - when fire doors are in place, and used correctly.

Lana
I hope people are charged with murder if this is the case, as they knowingly let people live in a giant deathtrap.

I think you mean 'manslaughter'

A murder is the unlawful killing of another human without justification or valid excuse, especially the unlawful killing of another human being with malice aforethought. ... Manslaughter is a killing committed in the absence of malice, brought about by reasonable provocation, or diminished capacity.

This is manslaughter surely? If that....it may be gross negligence, or just systemic failures with no-one person to blame.

In what world does anyone think it's a good idea to cover a tower block in flammable cladding?!

This interview from a resident who escaped said it started with kitchen fire in the flat opposite him, then went up the cladding and the fire brigade couldn't get the dry risers to work. Horrific tragedy. www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40269625

There is going to be a huge fallout for Kensington and Chelsea Council. What a nightmare.

Grenfell Tower had a £10m refurb last year that included new heating and cladding, and a gym and boxing club. No mention of any updated fire safety regs/measures.

But surely the block would have had to have smoke alarms etc that were up to date? Fire doors?

Horrendous. The speed the fire spread was truly shocking. Those poor people.

Serious question: how are people supposed to escape from a tower block fire? Do they rely on fire doors etc keeping back the fire until everyone can get down the stairs?

Neutrogena Yeah manslaughter!
It's early and I haven't had any caffeine yet!

But my point still stands.
There should be prosecutions over this.

This is absolutely insane

They mentioned a few minutes ago that nearby buildings are being evacuated because they are worried about the tower block collapsing.

"Do they rely on fire doors etc keeping back the fire until everyone can get down the stairs?"

Fire doors, smoke alarms, sprinkler systems, and at least two fire escape routes is the current advice (from memory). You can also buy personal emergency evacuation chutes.

This is so shocking. It's the sort of thing I'd associate with, I don't know, China or somewhere.

I dread to think how many people have died. It all seems to have spread so quickly. Thinking of anyone who has relatives or friends living there

is there anyone in the area who knows how it's affecting the surrounding homes and streets? I have two different friends who live in that part of London, near Latimer Road.

Those poor poor people. How do you rebuild your life after losing everything? And the tragedy of those who have lost their lives in such a terrifying situation is unthinkable.

Anyone know of any way we can offer practical help? I grew up down the road from there but no longer local, but hate watching and feeling helpless.

Building regulations have to change so that it becomes mandatory that smoke alarms are installed in people's flats

I honestly thought this was already the case? I may be wrong. I just remember when when our LEA came and installed fire alarms in every flat in our block (11 floors), that was about 10 years ago.

Just heartbreaking. Can I advise people to stay away from watching the news. especially if you're anxious or prone to stress and low mood.

I'm always shocked when events like this happen by the posts from people whose distress is heightened by the images they're watching.
Apologies if that's crass- obviously the most important people here are those directly affected, but look after yourself people. 💞

DH has just driven past it on his way into work. Just dreadful.

LotusBomb As of two years ago we had the fire brigade pay a courtesy visit to ask us if we wanted smoke alarms fitted for free - it was definitely not mandatory (also in C&K).

Apparently there were roughly 700 people living there.

This has made me check my own fire alarm...to discover that my battery is dead.

Check your alarms people

Dustmotes - it does happen in China A tower block went up in flames when I lived there - a problem with external cladding as well.

Just awful. I can't imagine the fear.