London fire

2 large tower blocks not far from here have just undergone a huge refurbishment program. Including new kitchens, bathrooms, windows central heating and yes... new cladding.

They do look a lot better than they did before the work but I wonder, if they prove that the cladding acted as a fire accelerant, will they be forced to remove it? I would imagine there are buildings all over the UK that have undergone similar works.

I don't think it was the cladding in itself that is being questioned. It is the fact that at its core was highly flammable material, polystyrene (or similar), whereas a cladding with a mineral core would have been more fire resistant.

Rigby, only you have voiced the opinion that the people are low life,

Yes, it's a big worry gillybob.
I'm guessing the windows, kitchens and bathrooms were the cheapest possible too, but isn't that what most landlords do?

Understood now, Rigby46.

Oh don't be ridiculous ab you know exactly the point I was making - grow up

I really have no idea about the cost of the kitchens and bathrooms in the flats to which I refer Lillie although if the recent modernisation of my dads bungalow is anything to go by (same local authority, same decent homes program ) I would guess they are of a very high standard. My dads is fabulous! he got to choose his kitchen from 10 colours and textures. He picked his work tops, taps, flooring etc. His bathroom (or rather wet room) is amazing and wouldn't be out of place in the most expensive private apartment.

Sadly this fire was foreseeable. Residents had already notified their Management Group of their fears and told on their blogg, how they had been ignored. Typically government had not put sprinklers etc. in the building regulations because they cost builders and landlords more money. I'm just surprised that given we are still in the EU that their regulations did not cover this. Sadly the cladding used foam that once it was hot it burst into flames plus there was a gap between the cladding and the wall, that acted as a chimney.

Hopefully there will now be a full review. But with 600 people living there it would seem that many more have perished than are currently listed. I cried watching this and thought of the London fire of September 1666 that started in pudding lane. this time a an electric surge despite new wiring etc and then a refrigerator bursts into flames and the apparently inspected fired extinguishers do not work!! A nightmare that should never have happened.

Just picking up a few facts.

There are 4,000 high-rise blocks in this country without a sprinkler system.

In Canada there has to be a fire alarm system that is interactive. They have the same system that you stay in your flat for an hour but as soon as the fire fighters get their they can voice messages over the alarm system to tell people to stay or leave their flats.

The current rule mean the cladding has only to be 'a bit' inflammable so that fire does not spread to another building. It has not been considered to be an issue for the building it clads.

sarahellenwhitney rightly comments that the insurance companies will be paying out tens of millions of pounds in compensation after this horrific event.
Forgive my cynicism, but I wonder if the poor souls who lost kith and kin and all their possessions will see any of this largesse?

The local solicitors seem to be getting together to offer their services free.

I would imagine that many of the poorest residents would have been without contents insurance sluttygran. Lets face it if you were struggling to make ends meet you would probably look at insurance as a luxury.

I believe new build high rise blocks now have to have sprinklers fitted.
These old concrete built tower blocks were considered fireproof as concrete doesn't burn. However the recently applied cladding probably made them a fire hazard with such a tragic result in this case.
They say it may take weeks to recover all the bodies. Horrendous.

Rigsby, you really need to accept some will point out your errors and not verbally attack in reply, very playground, if there is any growing up to be done it's by you

FFS will people stop all the needling and back-stabbing. Under the circumstances it's just not right.

How brave are those firefighters !!!
And PM May has cut funding for services like them. Totally wrong in my opinion.

btw....A genuine emergency fund donation can be made to the Salvation Army who are there with food and drinks.

It's just a terrible tragedy and we must hope that the homeless families are rehoused asap. That community will most likely be broken up now as people are rehoused where ever there's an empty property.

gillybob. It's very good to hear that the victims will get free legal representation. As you say, many of them might not have been able to afford insurance, but my point is that the owners of the block will receive huge compensation, and at the same time gain a very valuable site for development. I am wondering if they will be kind enough to share the spoils of this appalling tragedy with those who suffer the devastating consequences? I have my doubts!

A shocking tragedy. There will have to be a look into all the regulations governing tower blocks. A pity they can't rehouse the unfortunate people in some of the empty flats in London that have just been bought for investment purposes,

It isn't right under any circumstances Anya but condemning people one doesn't know isn't right either ,

It's absolutely dreadful isn't it? How anyone anyone say that those ghastly tower blocks are fit for people to live in I simply cannot fathom.

I hope the area where the flats are will be used for new social housing (SAFE social housing!) and not sold off the some fatcat to build luxury apartments.

Independent reports that David Lammy has a friend amongst the missing.

By the way how close were the public allowed to May?
Did she take Barwell with her?

I don't think anyone will dare moan about red tape and rules in future, without a expecting a severe slap

Lammy said this should be treated as corporate manslaughter.

Just watching the news and May's visit. A "private" visit apparently, where she spent 20 minutes of her oh so precious time with a couple of residents.

Compare and contrast that with JC. Hands on, listening and talking.

You have to have a heart of stone to behave like May.

JC behaved like a real leader.

I heard the new Labour MP for Kensington, who seems a very feisty lady. I don't think this is going to be allowed to sit in the "pending tray". Some QCs and other professionals are offering their services for free.

It's absolutely tragic that it takes something like this to highlight the problems of social housing in London and the "social cleansing" which is taking place.

I was so impressed with the people who were interviewed and I hope it dispels myths that people who live in social housing and "rough" areas are feckless scroungers and skivers. They were articulate and angry.

My first thoughts are with the people affected, whether they've lost loved ones or their home, but I also feel that lesson really must be learnt and I hope heads roll.