On the tragic day of June 14, 2017, a devastating fire broke out at Grenfell Tower in London, claiming the lives of 72 residents. The final report on the fire was released yesterday, outlining 58 recommendations to prevent such a disaster from ever happening again. The Chairman of the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, stated that each death in the fire could have been avoided, and that the residents were let down by the authorities and the construction industry.
Grenfell Tower, located in North Kensington, West London, is a high-rise block of flats that still stands today, shrouded in protective wrap. The tower, standing at over 200ft tall with 24 floors and 129 flats, remains visible from various parts of West London. The fire, which started just before 1am on that fateful day, trapped many residents on the higher floors as it rapidly engulfed the building.
The fire originated from a fridge on the fourth floor and quickly spread throughout the tower due to the highly flammable cladding that had been used during the building’s refurbishment in 2016. The Grenfell report revealed that the companies involved in selling the cladding had engaged in deceptive practices to manipulate testing processes, resulting in the tower being enveloped in hazardous cladding and insulation.
Despite the tragedy and the desire to create a permanent memorial at the site, Grenfell Tower still stands, its demolition plans put on hold for years. The government, in 2021, stated that they were considering the timing and necessity of demolishing the tower based on advice from structural engineers. These engineers recommended that the demolition commence no later than 2022. However, as of now, no decision has been made regarding the tower’s future, leaving it in a state of uncertainty.
The delay in demolishing Grenfell Tower has sparked various discussions and debates about what should be done with the structure. Some argue that it should be taken down to erase the painful memories associated with it, while others believe that it should remain as a reminder of the tragedy and a symbol of the need for accountability and change in the construction industry and government oversight.
The fate of Grenfell Tower continues to hang in the balance, with no clear resolution in sight. As the community grapples with the aftermath of the fire and seeks closure, the tower stands as a somber reminder of the lives lost and the systemic failures that led to this catastrophic event.
