Grenfell: Three weeks on

By Chidozie Ehirim

Editor

It has been just over three weeks since a raging fire consumed Grenfell Tower, in North Kensington. With at least 80 residents dead and many more deaths likely to be confirmed over the next few weeks, the horrific tower block inferno may well represent the worst post war loss of life in the country.

In the time since the incident, the revelations surrounding what happened have added a new but somewhat depressing backdrop to the tragedy. 

Of overriding concern is that the entire tragedy could have been avoided. Kensington and Chelsea Council were warned by both the residents and London Fire Brigade that a fire like the one that occurred was inevitable. Cheap, combustible cladding banned in the US and parts of Europe was found to have been used at Grenfell. As well as this, basic fire safety procedures fell well below standard.

What is staggering, is that the use of the cladding had to have been signed off. A conscious decision would have been made to allow it to be used. In a time where health and safety is of utmost concern, this seems inconceivable.

Also being criticized has been the government. Despite a public inquiry being called by Prime Minister Theresa May, the surviving residents of Grenfell have voiced concerns over it's scope and reach. They also fear the whole truth behind the tragedy may never be discovered. 

Sir Martin Moore-Bick

This concern was compounded by comments made by the judge in charge of the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who warned that he is doubtful the inquiry will be as wide ranging as hoped.

Very worrying.

Added to this, local residents have expressed suspicion that the true death toll is being repressed to prevent social unrest. Labour MP David Lammy who has been in close contact with the residents told BBC 2's Newsnight recently that he understood their fears. Considering that the fire took place just after midnight, when the tower would have been more or less full, the skepticism of the local residents is somewhat understandable.

David Lammy MP

Sadly, what has also emerged as more has been revealed is the looming spectre of gentrification. It has cast itself over the tragedy and has been highlighted by both the residents living in social housing close to Grenfell and MPs alike. Local Labour MP Emma Dent Coad has been particularly scathing in her assessment of Kensington and Chelsea council's conduct.

The fear of many on the ground is that the desire to gradually chip away at social housing has a more sinister motivation culminating in an attempt to socially cleanse the area. 

Depressingly, class, may well have played some role in the conduct of Kensington and Chelsea council before the fire. We can only wonder if the council had acted differently if wealthier residents had raised concerns about fire safety or if cheap flammable cladding would have been used on a luxury tower block. One wonders if wealthier residents would have been respected instead of being ignored.

It's astonishing that a wealthy local council, such as Kensington and Chelsea, would be willing to use cheap, dangerous cladding and fail the Grenfell residents by not providing a high standard of fire safety features at the tower. This same council were somehow able to pay the wealthier residents a £100 council tax rebate but seemingly took short cuts when it really mattered.

Grenfell Tower

Truly mind boggling.

We can only hope that the Grenfell fire and it's aftermath draws a line in the sand. We can only hope that this unprecedented event jolts those in power from their slumber and reminds them that in 2017 and onwards, it will no longer be acceptable to dismiss the concerns of the working class and at the same time pander to the whims of the wealthy and special interests.

If the powers that be are truly, truly passionate about equality, they must show it by their actions and not with meaningless, well worn soundbites.

If the deaths of 80 plus people in a preventable tragedy like this is not enough to wake people up, it is hard to know what will.