Grenfell Tower inquiry unveils 'decades of failure', blames govt, firms for avoidable tragedy

A public inquiry into the catastrophic Grenfell Tower fire of 2017 has placed blame squarely on government failings, the construction industry, and most critically, the companies responsible for the building’s flammable cladding.

The inferno, which claimed the lives of 72 individuals, has been described as Britain’s deadliest residential blaze since the Second World War.

The fire that engulfed the 23-storey social housing block occurred in the early hours of June 14, 2017, within one of London’s affluent districts, laying bare stark contrasts and systemic failures.

As the inquiry’s chair, Martin Moore-Bick, pointedly stated, “The simple truth is that the deaths that occurred were all avoidable.” This assertion underscores a tragic narrative of negligence and oversight.

The comprehensive final report, long-awaited and spanning nearly 1,700 pages, attributes primary responsibility for the disaster to the entities involved in the tower’s maintenance and refurbishment, particularly those who marketed the combustible cladding as safe. It paints a grim picture of a system riddled with incompetence and, in certain instances, dishonesty and greed.

Moore-Bick further elaborated, “Not all of them bear the same degree of responsibility for the eventual disaster, but as our reports show, all contributed to it in one way or another, in most cases, through incompetence, but in some cases, through dishonesty and greed.” His words highlight the multifaceted nature of the culpability involved.

The inquiry has not spared the government, local authorities, regulatory bodies, and the fire brigade, criticizing them for their prolonged inaction regarding fire safety in high-rise buildings. This collective failure is depicted as a “decades of failure,” where profit was prioritized over human safety.

Grenfell United, representing survivors and the bereaved, poignantly remarked, “The duty of government should be to safeguard life, whilst protecting us from corporate greed. But for too long, they have aided corporations, facilitating them to profit and dictate regulation.”

Despite the gravity of the findings, legal proceedings, including potential charges for corporate manslaughter and fraud, remain distant prospects due to the complexity of the case.

As British police continue their investigations into 58 individuals and 19 entities, the path to justice appears fraught with challenges.

In a moment of introspection and remorse, Prime Minister Keir Starmer addressed Parliament, offering an apology to the victims’ families and survivors. “It should never have happened. The country failed to discharge its most fundamental duty, to protect you and your loved ones,” he admitted, as grieving relatives looked on. “Today is a long awaited day of truth, but it must now lead to a day of justice.”

The Grenfell Tower tragedy and its subsequent inquiry have not only exposed deep-seated flaws within the regulatory framework but have also ignited a fervent demand for systemic change and accountability.

UK Prime Minister Apologised

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday apologised on behalf of the state to victims of the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire that killed 72 people.

“I want to start with an apology on behalf of the British state to each and every one of you, and indeed, to all of the families affected by this tragedy,” he told parliament, responding to the publication of a public inquiry report into the blaze.

“It should never have happened. The country failed to discharge its most fundamental duty: to protect you and your loved ones, the people that we are here to serve, and I am deeply sorry.”

Reuters