In the shadow of Grenfell Tower- thread four

[RhythmAndStealth]

Rest in Peace

Isaac Shawo, 5
Khadija Saye, 24
Mohammed Alhalaji, 23

At least thirty people confirmed to have died

Six further deceased victims provisionally identified

Many more people feared to have died. They have yet to be reunited with their names

Nineteen people still in hospital, with ten in critical care

Many people homeless and dispossessed

Many bereaved

Many traumatised

“…it is difficult to escape a very sombre national mood.” The Queen.

Three investigations launched- Fire, Police and Public Inquiry
£5m Government Emergency Fund created
£3m donated by public
Peaceful protesters demand justice and answers.

Thread three (includes links to threads one and two)

BertieBotts

By my "cash in hand" comment I meant cash that was readily available to them to deal with the immediate expenses they may have. Not actual, "cash in hands". I wouldn't want 5000 cash on my person anywhere in London, particularly when not staying in my own accomodation.

I know they have social workers there to help with accessing bank accounts and ensure that the banks are aware of what they have been through; although I am wondering about how they verify ID?

Just had a google monkey, holy guacamole 2 bed apartment 475k. I guess it would depend how many households survived and if the gov would see it as making a rod for their own back (further tragedies down the line). But I do think we need to be thinking more along the lines of funding private rent or outright buying them a place to live, rather than treating them as if they're just jumping the waiting list queue.

Yes that makes sense, I do hope that there's a procedure to go through with banks etc.

The access issues were due to illegally-parked cars weren't they?

Partly, but there had previously been complaints about maintenance and delivery vans, skips, etc., as there was no where else for them to park. There had previously been a car park on that new school site. The residents blog had previously mentioned residents' objections to that car park being built on and cited the parking/access problems for residents, deliveries and maintenance.

Looking at the aerial photos, there seems to have been only one access road for emergency vehicles to the school corner of the tower. From google maps, it looks a narrow and winding road. Other nearby roads are in the nearby housing estate.

And yes, it's also clear that there are large mature trees very close to the tower which would obviously hamper the fire service using ladders and aerial appliances.

Sadly, again, the residents' blog seems to have hit the nail on the head in stating the blindingly obvious about access problems which have been ignored by the housing association, local council and fire service -I say ignored because none of those in authority apparently did anything about it!

The blog entry from 2013 re the building on the car park and other access blockage complaints:-

grenfellactiongroup.wordpress.com/2013/01/28/fire-safety-scandal-at-lancaster-west/

5k per house. Some households have 6 people. Not very much is it? Just to get ID say passport if you dont drive it would cost €10 for birth certificate £4 for photos and €72.50 for the passport. So £ 86.50 for each adult.

Just think how many times you need ID these days. Your bank, benefits, jobs, housing

"rather than treating them as if they're just jumping the waiting list queue."

Agreed. And I think this is important for everyone on that waiting list too.

Thanks BadBad for the blog link. Access clearly needs to be looked at in other buildings as well as the cladding - does anyone know if that has happened?

There is more money than 5,500 - even within the 5 million pound pot that has been promised. That money (the 5,500) hasn't even touched the sides of that pot yet, it totals less than 1 million.

I think the residents association want to have meetings to say how the 5 million will be spent and divided (they made it clear last night they were not informed about the money prior to it being announced on Friday).

The lack of floor numbers written within the building is common in a lot of blocks in the London Borough where my dad works on blocks.

112

Can I ask you something - how to the firefighters see the numbers through the smoke? Is their a requirement for these numbers to be embossed or engraved at all so that firefighters could feel the number outlines rather than reading them in thick smoke?

MonkeylovesRobot - As I understood it from watching the news last night the £5,500 is basically a minimum payment. Each household will get £500 in cash and £5k into a bank account. They know people have issues accessing bank accounts so I think there will be help/procedures to sort that. It's not that difficult to do really. At this stage they know who most of the people affected are and the council/red cross can verify identification and issue temp photo ID cards of some description.

The rest of the money will be allocated later.

Cider That's how I have understood it too - this is immediately available money - there is more on the way. I worked it out as around 40 000 per household from this fund of 5 million. However, I expect the fund to rise in the future.

Can I ask you something - how to the firefighters see the numbers through the smoke?

They don't, they can't.

Does anyone know what time the press conference is expected today?

Heard on Radio 4 last night that Corbyn was suggesting that homes ( houses flats ) be requestioned .

I've no idea if there are any empty properties in the area but it sounds like a thought ..

" During the war any houses which were empty due to people having gone away or which were to let or for sale were requisitioned by the Authorities for rehousing homeless ,use in emergencies ,billeting armed forces personnel "

Heard on Radio 4 last night that Corbyn was suggesting that homes ( houses flats ) be requestioned

A good soundbite (like a lot of his policies), but has he actually worked out whether it's legally possible and how long it might take?? From what I know of compulsory purchase orders, they take many months and require court approval. I don't think Corbyn can achieve it without a new Act of Parliament and that's not going to be quick.

Im also hoping to find out the time of the police statement if anyone has any idea. Have been checking the news all day for an update. So sorry to hear about the fire and the attack at the mosque. My heart has been with London these last few days, and it's rarely been far from my thoughts. Feel so useless being so far away and totally unable to help, but also overwhelmed by the love and resilient that Londoners have shown in response to both events.

It's just on breaking news on BBC2 now scottish. The death toll has gone up to 79.

79 now presumed dead. Five have been so far identified.

And number could sill rise.

Scotlands Yard is live on sky news now.

And not all may ever be formally identified.

"People may have been in Grenfell who people do not know were in the tower, or who people may not are missing currently"

Urging everyone that was in the tower who has not confirmed they are safe, to get in touch.

Confirmed that five people who were believed missing have been found too

"What's important for me is to find answers for those families"

Building construction, refurbishment, how it is managed and maintained, fire safety measures and wide-range of other factors will be investigated.

Wrong to speculate what the outcome of the investigation may be.

All criminal offences by any individual or organisation will be looked at.

"I will do everything within my gift to ensure those responsible are brought to justice".

If risks to public safety are identified they will be shared immediately with relevant authorities.