Grenfell Tower fire- thread three

[RhythmAndStealth]

Seventeen tragic deaths confirmed so far, six victims provisionally identified.
Number of those who perished feared to rise into triple figures as search proceeds
Search for remaining victims expected to take weeks, sadly it’s considered unlikely that it will be possible to identify all the victims
Names of those still missing start to emerge
Nearly 80 victims being treated across six hospitals, with 15 still in critical care
Hundreds of people displaced and dispossessed, concerned about when and where they will be rehoused

Public inquiry ordered.
Criminal investigation launched.
Serious questions being asked about fire safety regulations, management of social housing, austerity and inequality.
Fire Brigade search of building expected to take weeks due to complexity of building, extent of fire damage and the necessity of undertaking a painstaking fingertip search.

“There must be arrests after this monstrous crime” David Lammy MP

‘Families rehoused last night been left clueless about where to spend next nights. No word from #kccouncil. Chaos.” Emily Maitlis, BBC

“We have to act as if it was our friends, our family in that block” Nick Hurd MP, Policing and Fire Minister

“Someone needs to be held accountable. These deaths could have been prevented.” Local resident to Sadiq Khan

Thread 2
Thread 1

Absolutely Dowser, absolutely.

I can't see why the council isn't organising stuff, the chaos isn't helping. Someone needs to take the lead.

Good luck to all those on the March, I would join you but don't live in London now.

Angry woman on the news "why do you think I'm here, why ask such a stupid question". Fair point!

From another thread

From: Grenfell action Group
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: Grenfell Tower- Ongoing concerns!
Date: Wed, 20 Aug 2014

Dear Ben,

I am very sorry to trouble you again and I hope that you can understand that my reason for doing so is entirely genuine.

A number of residents of Grenfell Tower are very concerned at the fact that the new improvement works to Grenfell Tower have turned our building into a fire trap.

There is only one entry and exit to the tower block itself and, in the event of a fire, the LFB could only gain access to the entrance to the building by climbing four flights of narrow stairs.

On top of this the fire escape exit on the walkway level has now been sealed.

Residents of Grenfell Tower do not have any confidence that our building has been satisfactorily assessed to cope with the new improvement works and we are seeking a meeting with the Chief Fire Officer from Kensington Fire Station so that these concerns can be addressed.

Thank you for your continued assistance with this matter.

Kind regards,

Grenfell Action Group

grenfellactiongroup.wordpress.com/

This is the exact contempt that the council and tmo regard their tenants with.

My cynical mind is thinking those letters were deliberately issued to cause outrage and deflect yet again the real crime. Please everyone focus on the real crime and don't let them get away.

Also feeling for the ordinary admin etc staff in the town hall. But I totally understand the crowd's angry.

At 5 o'clock on a Friday, what's the betting that the bosses aren't even there now.

All those millionaires second (third?,fourth?) houses lying empty and hundreds of families homeless. It's sinful it really is. We should be taxing the hell out of those buying houses as an investment but with no intention of living in them. And building decent, safe, warm social housing with the proceeds.

True, beyond. The responsibility doesn't lie with the ordinary admin staff, but those in charge of decision making. But I find it hard to blame the residents though - nobody cared when they were/are at risk.

Thanks Rythmn, I couldn't find the story. What in holy hell were those staff thinking! I wouldn't deliver petty shit in these circs, why didn't they refuse.

I definitely don't blame the protesters, I blame the bosses and DMs. And as burn said, what are the odds they are still in the building at 5pm on a Friday? I don't think I've ever worked somewhere where bosses were still in the office at that time!!

Beingrippedoff - I totally agree, it's disgusting that housing in this country has become a commodity to whord and often hide your I'll gotten gains.

Bosses will be a) at their country pad b) the golf course c) out of the country

Rhythm. That email is damning evidence.

Terrible the action group couldn't get things changed to make the block safe to prevent this tragedy, but at least their work and all the evidence of it should help bring people to justice. At least there is evidence that, actually, the risk of fire was known about and that it was preventable.

That letter was bad enough on its own, but hand delivered - while a good chunk of the LUCKY residents were still out of their homes?! Jesus :(

The guy on BBC news is really good. Sensible, clear and keeping his head. I don't know how - I have been in tears today and I didn't even have a personal connection.

And lily Allen on the BBC has said they're withholding information and the toll is actually at 150!

He is coping very well. Well done bbc bloke.

Not sure I feel so sorry for the admin staff if they wee the ones hand deliving those letters...

Omg just got home, wtf is going on it's getting nasty

We should be taxing the hell out of those buying houses as an investment but with no intention of living in them
many MPs have property portfolios, they wont want to pass legislation which goes against their own interests

If there isn't a riot in London tonight it'll be a miracle. Poor, poor people.

The council don't seem to have a plan of any kind which they can then communicate to residents. It's mind boggling. I work for a large LA. We have plans in place for exactly this type of situation in the hope that we never have to use them.

If you refuse to listen to concerns of a group of people they will become disenfranchised. When their concerns are shown to be justified and so many people end up dead because their concerns were ignored you can't be surprised that they get really angry. Protesting isn't nasty, it is a totally reasonable response to the situation.

At this stage, repeating the 'official death toll' of 30 smacks of dishonesty. Why the fuck aren't the council, police, BBC, etc at least stating that the final count is expected to be close to 100. It has been days and the powers that be aren't even acknowledging the scale of loss of life.

This is horrible, but I can't blame them. The council have handled this so so badly.

That's a huge council town hall, will be loads of exits for staff to get out ok

No plan whatsoever by the council. All of the organising of supplies has come from voluntary organisations and public.