Grenfell Tower report published after seven year wait

This post contains distressing details.

More than seven years after the devastating fire that killed 72 people and left 151 homes destroyed, the official inquiry report into the Grenfell Tower disaster has been published today.

The 1,700-page report looks into all aspects surrounding the fire, including failures by the government, local authorities and manufacturers. There are 14 parts of the Phase 2 report.

Chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick laid out the findings today, and said that "the deaths that occurred were all avoidable".

He added that the residents of the tower were "badly failed" by the government, tenant management organisation (TMO), manufactures and suppliers, architect, principal contractor, some consultants, local authorities building control department, and the London Fire Brigade.

"All contributed in one way or another," he said. "Homes were destroed and a community was shattered."

The report also includes calls to the emergency services made by residents at the time of the fire, as well as findings from the coroner that confirmed that all the people found after the disaster died from toxic gasses consumption.

Moore-Bick commented that the warning signs were ignored and can be traced back to 1991, when the dangers of using combustible materials in high rise buildings were known.

The report also found that Kensington and Chelsea TMO was "badly run" and that the relationship between residents and the organisation was marked by "distrust" and "bitter confrontation" long before the fire. 

Many recommendations are made in the report to appointing a construction regulator to oversee all aspects of the construction industry, bring responsibility for all aspects of fire safety under one government, and establish a college of fire and rescue.

Natasha Elcock, Chair of Grenfell United said: "Human life was never a priority and we lost friends family and loved ones in the most horrific way."

She added: "We paid the price of systematic dishonesty".

The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said of the report: "The Greenfell Tower fire isn't just a heart-breaking tragedy, it's a horrific injustice and a national disgrace."

He added: "the Inquiry makes clear in stark terms that all these deaths were entirely avoidable, and that the residents of Grenfell Tower have paid the price for systematic dishonesty, corporate greed and institutional indifference and neglect. It is gut-wrenching to read about how concerns were repeatedly ignored and warnings dismissed."

Cllr Claire Holland, chair of London Councils, said: "On the publication of the Inquiry report, my thoughts are with the 72 people who died, their loved ones, those who lost their homes and the many people living in the local community and beyond who were affected by the fire.

“Seven years on, London boroughs’ commitment to ensuring this never happens again remains unchanged. The publication of the phase 2 report of the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is an important step towards this. It must serve as a catalyst for action."

She described the findings as "damning" and said it made clear how residents were let down by a broken system that failed at every level, with fatal consequences. 

"Boroughs will be reading this report closely," she said, "to ensure that we understand its findings in full and take action in response to its recommendations.

“Every Londoner has the right to be safe and feel safe in their home. Since the fire, London boroughs have continued working to improve building safety and overall housing standards for people living in high rise accommodation, but we know there is so much more to do and progress has been far too slow. It’s vital that we drive forward the change we need to see, in partnership with our residents and national government, to ensure this clearly avoidable tragedy is never repeated."