September 4th 2024.
It has been seven long years since the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in London took the lives of 72 people. Now, after an exhaustive public inquiry, the findings are set to be released. The inquiry, led by retired judge Martin Moore-Bick, has spent six years investigating the lapses and mistakes that turned a small kitchen fire into the deadliest blaze on British soil since World War II.
For many, the final report may provide some much-needed answers. However, it will not bring justice in the form of prosecutions for those responsible. Criminal charges have been put on hold until after the inquiry concludes. Sandra Ruiz, who lost her 12-year-old niece in the fire, believes that true justice cannot be served without those responsible being held accountable and behind bars. She, like many others, feels that decisions made for the sake of profit resulted in the devastating loss of innocent lives.
The fire began in a fourth-floor apartment in the early hours of June 14, 2017, and quickly spread up the 25-story building due to flammable cladding on its exterior walls. This tragedy not only shocked the nation but also raised questions about lax safety regulations and other failings by officials and businesses that contributed to such a high death toll. It also sparked a conversation about inequality in Britain, as Grenfell Tower was a public housing building located in one of London's wealthiest neighborhoods, with many of the victims being working-class individuals with immigrant backgrounds.
The victims of the fire came from 23 different countries and included people from all walks of life, from taxi drivers and architects to poets and retirees, and even 18 children. Over the course of the six-year investigation, the inquiry has held more than 300 public hearings and examined around 1600 witness statements. In 2019, an initial report was released, criticizing the fire department for advising residents to stay in their apartments and wait for rescue. This advice was changed almost two hours after the fire started, but for many on the upper floors, it was too late to escape.
On Wednesday, the final report will be released, focusing on the decisions that led to the installation of highly combustible cladding on the building. During a refurbishment, Grenfell Tower was covered with aluminium and polyethylene cladding, which consists of a layer of foam insulation sandwiched between two sheets of aluminium and a layer of combustible plastic polymer. In the wake of the fire, the UK government banned metal composite cladding for all new buildings and ordered its removal from hundreds of tower blocks across the country. However, this has been a costly and ongoing process, with some buildings still not having the dangerous cladding removed.
Throughout the inquiry, the lead lawyer, Richard Millett, has noted that various organizations, including the companies involved in making the cladding, the contractor responsible for the building's refurbishment, and the local government, have been playing a game of "buck-passing," trying to shift the blame onto others. As a result, it is uncertain if anyone will be held accountable for the fire. Police are currently investigating dozens of individuals and companies and considering charges, including corporate and individual manslaughter, but these cannot be pursued until after the inquiry concludes, which may not be until late 2026.
For the survivors and bereaved families, the wait for justice has been long and painful. They worry that the final report may spread the blame too widely, making it difficult to see anyone punished for their role in the tragedy. The Grenfell Next of Kin group has expressed their concerns, stating that the "web of blame" presented in the inquiry may become a barrier to true justice. As the community continues to mourn and heal, the Grenfell Tower still stands as a reminder of the devastating loss that occurred on that fateful night. A fitting tribute, a green heart with the words "Grenfell forever in our hearts," has been emblazoned at the top of the building, covered in white sheeting.
As we eagerly await the release of the final report, let us remember the victims and their families, and hope that justice will be served. And in the meantime, let us all come together to watch and support the incredible athletes competing at the Paralympic Games Paris 2024, live and free on Channel 9, 9Gem, and 9Now. With every event streaming ad-free, live, and on demand, and even in 4K on Stan Sport, it is sure to be an unforgettable and inspiring event.
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