Official government publications, news reports

Grenfell Inquiry Report: 72 Avoidable Deaths Blamed on Decades of Failures

Sep 4, 2024, 10:02 AM

A long-awaited final report on the Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people on June 14, 2017, has been published. The inquiry concluded that the disaster was the result of 'decades of failure' by the UK government, the construction industry, and the companies involved in the refurbishment of the building. The report highlights 'systematic dishonesty' by cladding and insulation firms, particularly Arconic, Kingspan, and Celotex, which concealed the dangers of their products. The inquiry chair, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, stated that all the deaths were avoidable and that those responsible for ensuring the building's safety had badly failed the residents. The report also criticized the government for being aware of the risks posed by combustible cladding but failing to act. The fire, which started in or around a Hotpoint fridge-freezer, was detailed in a 1,670-page report. Campaigners and survivors are calling for accountability and prosecutions.