A damning report on the deadly Grenfell Tower fire in 2017 has concluded that government, regulators, and industry failures turned the building into a "death trap" that led to the death of 72 people.
The public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire, which claimed 72 lives in 2017, has released a damning report that exposes a systematic failure of government, regulators, and industry. The report concluded that a combination of dishonest companies, weak or incompetent regulators, and a complacent government allowed the building to be covered in combustible cladding, which turned a small apartment fire into the deadliest blaze on British soil since World War II.
Judge Martin Moore-Bick, who led the inquiry, said that the deaths were avoidable and that all parties involved contributed to the tragedy, "in most cases through incompetence but in some cases through dishonesty and greed." Prime Minister Keir Starmer apologized on behalf of the British state, vowing to act on the report's recommendations.
Grenfell Tower Report: Damning Failures Exposed in Deadly London Fire
Survivors and victims' families expressed relief at the findings but also urged authorities to deliver justice. Natasha Elcock, who lost her uncle in the fire, said: "We paid the price for systematic dishonesty, institutional indifference, and neglect."
The report was highly critical of companies that manufactured the combustible cladding, accusing them of "systematic dishonesty" and manipulating safety tests to claim that the material was safe. Insulation manufacturer Celotex and cladding panel maker Arconic were among those singled out for criticism.
Grenfell Tower Report: Damning Failures Exposed in Deadly London Fire
The inquiry also found that the use of combustible cladding was due to its low cost and the incompetence of the organizations and individuals involved in the refurbishment. Architectural and engineering firms, as well as contractors, were all found to have shirked their responsibility for safety.
The report revealed a lack of oversight and enforcement of building standards, with the bodies responsible for ensuring fire safety being weak and underfunded. The local authority was criticized for its lack of interest, and the U.K. government was faulted for ignoring safety warnings due to its commitment to deregulation.
The inquiry also found that the London Fire Brigade had serious deficiencies in management and leadership, as well as a lack of training for high-rise fires and outdated communications equipment.
The Grenfell Tower tragedy has sparked soul-searching about inequality in Britain, as the victims were largely people of color from working-class backgrounds. The report did not find evidence of racial or social prejudice influencing the decisions that led to the deaths, but it did criticize the public body that managed Grenfell for failing to treat residents with respect.
Prime Minister Starmer acknowledged the fundamental questions raised by the tragedy and vowed to address the needs of working-class communities. The report has made multiple recommendations, including tougher fire safety rules, a national fire and rescue college, and a single independent regulator for the construction industry.
The ruined Grenfell Tower remains as a testament to the tragedy, covered in white sheeting with a green heart and the words "Grenfell forever in our hearts" emblazoned at the top. Sandra Ruiz, whose 12-year-old niece died in the fire, said that justice demands that those responsible be held accountable.
