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

The Queen is currently meeting emergency service people, local residents and community leaders. More than the prime minister did!

Panic of who? The local residents already know, that's why they are angry that the toll is not being acknowledged.

I've been looking up this cladding. I cannot believe that some expert, somewhere back in the day, signed this off as safe. It's a recipe for disaster, what with the flammable polyethylene and mandatory air gap to ventilate.

Who the hell though that was a good idea?!

Also the race to reach green targets needs to be pulled back in line with fire safety, or fire safety regulations brought up to date. (Read somewhere these were last updated 2006?)

Yes, we need efficient homes but not at this cost.

Thoughts with all affected and hoping the missing is less than being imagined. Please.

@Also no mention about why smoke was flowing freely up the staircases and landing.

I expect that at this stage it just isn't known and maybe the news are hesitant to speculate if it could land them with a law suit?

I'd put money that fire stops were not properly reinstalled...

But the press are speculating and only focussing on the cladding, what's the difference?

Exactly Bangkok.

Recommended practice is never good enough either.

Strict rules and enforcement.

Even BBC news are saying 'why is it that Theresa May couldn't be there because of 'security' but we now have the Queen and Prince William there?'

Whatever we think of the Queen, I'm glad someone from the head of the country is there.

I can't see how it is much less than 100 dead.

We can not let this become another Hillsborough with a shitty public inquiry that didn't get the truth.

@TheWitchAndTrevor don't know, good point.

Maybe BBC news should go back to reporting the news..

BeyondStrongandStable You raise a good point about cavity wall insulation. Some basic foams and polystyrene balls are combustible and give off toxic and noxious fumes. I don't know if this applies to Grenfell tower block.

No expert but I believe cavity wall insulation is airtight (hence this problem some are having with damp with ill fitted insulation. It can't dry - no air)

It's the air gap on this rain screen cladding which fuels fire like draw on a chimney.

I could be wrong though.

I knew the Queen and/or Prince William would visit.
they are having to back up our Teresa May or doesnt do the public.

but good for the royal family.

I think what should come out of this heartbreaking and tragic situation is that tenants' concerns should be listened to and not dismissed. They were saying for years that this needed sorting. I've also had experience of noticing stuff and raising concern with my ha, only to have my concerns disnissed and coming away thinking that because I'm a tenant, I have no idea what I'm talking about.

Helena, you do a fab job with what tenants in HAs deal with. '
[Flowers] for everyone affected.

That should be . Stupid tablet.

Labour Councillor on the BBC saying that no-one ever mentioned sprinklers at meetings about the tower refurbishment, in contradiction to what the Tory councillor said about residents opposing them.

I've been away from the tv, did bbc news actually say that? As every time I've seen similar mention, they have specifically said "some people are angry that TM didn't meet victims"

Cllr Blakeman was just on BBC stating that the leader of the council (I think) was on newsnight stating that the sprinkler system wasn't installed because the residents opposed it. She stated that she attended all but one of the residents meetings about the redevelopment and that a sprinkler system was never discussed.

They keep saying about the first official confirmed dead person. But a 5 year was identified not long after yet that isn't covered now. It was only an add on to the 'first' when it was reported.

Every thing I said before and this^ is minimising.

beyond I am paraphrasing. They mentioned it, probably in the context of 'people are asking why' rather than asking directly.

The government still have not put sprinklers in the other blocks. You'd think this would make them act immediately.

TM is going to visit at the hospital today
www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/theresa-may-grenfell-tower-fire-victims-hospital-victims-residents-meet-kensington-andrea-leadsom-a7792996.html

Suppose the poor victims will be too ill/shell shocked to heckle her

Definitely witch. I did wonder if the 5yo wasn't official yet, but it seems he is - they just aren't focusing on him. Whether that's from a good side - i.e. not wanting to point a spotlight on his traumatised family, or a bad side - i.e. the "minimising" others have pointed to, is debatable.

The government still have not put sprinklers in the other blocks. You'd think this would make them act immediately.

Do you really think you could install a sprinkler system in multiple blocks in a few days?

I think there needs to be an end to subletting council places. Why not a landlord register? Would also make sure landlords pay tax. Subletting council property that is supposed to be for people in need is theft!

It must be very common in London, this tower block is in a premium location, I've often thought it must have had great views when I see them on my way into Paddington.

Social housing needs to be completely re thought, hopefully another ge soon and corbyn gets in.

Ta bigyellow, so people can't complain about the BBC losing impartiality then. DH just said he heard it btw, it was definitely in that context