“Grenfell United have chosen not to break our silence ahead of the Grenfell Inquiry Phase 1 Report being made public and we are disappointed that a number of media outlets and individuals chose to do so.
“While nothing can ever bring back our loved ones that passed away in the fire, this is a strong report with a forensic examination of the events of the night and clear recommendations that if implemented will save lives. The Government cannot afford to repeat the mistakes of Lakanal and ignore them.
“Justice means different things for all of us but the truth needs to be at the heart of our collective healing. We have been waiting a long time for this report. Today’s findings give us some confidence that our journey towards truth has finally begun.
“We now need to urgently see responsibility and action from this report, not excuses. One of the most worrying findings is Sir Martin Moore Bick’s view that the LFB are currently an institution at risk of not learning the lessons from Grenfell. ”
ON HOW THE FIRE STARTED:
“We are glad to read this report totally exonerates our neighbour in flat 16. The Whirlpool fridge started the fire and our neighbour did everything he could do try to stop it and raise the alarm. He is long overdue an apology from media and corporates that tried to scapegoat him. ”
ON THE BUILDING:
“One of the most important conclusions for us is Sir Martin Moore Bick found that the building was not compliant with building regulations. This finding means that RBKC and KCTMO have serious questions to answer in phase 2 of the inquiry, as do each of the corporates involved including Arconic, Celotex, Studio E and Rydon amongst others. “This finding adds to our determination to see criminal charges brought against those responsible for turning our homes into a ‘death trap’.”
ON TMO AND RBKC:
“As we know all too well RBKC, and the KCTMO have been found to be deficient, with a 15 year out of date emergency plan, no plans of the building and no plans for rescuing disabled residents. Robert Black, the KCTMO's Chief Executive, failed us on many levels and was held to account by the Chair for the detachment he displayed during hearings. And this is just the beginning. RBKC and KCTMO are at the centre of the refurbishment project and we are confident much more will be exposed in phase 2.”
ON THE LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT OF THE LONDON FIRE SERVICE:
“Sir Martin Moore Bick recognises that many firefighters showed ‘enormous courage’. The reality is, mistakes were made and opportunities missed by individuals on the night, but contrary to commentary ahead of publication, the report does not blame the firefighters on the night for the fire, instead he shows how they were let down by their training, procedures, equipment and leadership.
“It is heartbreaking to read that more of our loved ones could have been saved that night if the building was evacuated earlier. We have been saying for two years that stay put must be reviewed and fire fighters must get the training they need to evacuate, now it is beyond doubt.
“One of the most worrying parts of the report is Sir Martin’s view that the ‘LFB is an institution at risk of not learning the lessons of Grenfell’.
“Senior officers in the LFB must stop hiding behind the bravery of their front line fire fighters. The Grenfell fire is proof that they failed to learn the lessons from Lakanal, this cannot happen again. The most senior leadership of the LFB must face consequences for these failings if there is to be change. And the LFB must make urgent fundamental changes to training and procedures so that Londoners can be safe.”
WHAT MUST HAPPEN NOW:
“The Prime Minister must not only accept these recommendations in full, he must also outline how and when he will ensure they are implemented. He must bring in a national evacuation plan for high rises, new laws for building owners and ensure there must be institutional change at the LFB so that lessons are learnt. The Government will also provide the fire service with the resources it needs to make the necessary changes to training and equipment.”
“Our thoughts today are once again with people still sleeping in buildings covered in highly combustible cladding and insulation. This cannot go on any longer. The immediate and real dangers of these materials are now beyond any doubt. Lives are at risk and the Government need to treat this as a national emergency.
“Phase two of the inquiry must now focus on where responsibility for the devastating refurbishment lies. RBKC, the TMO and all companies involved must face serious questions. There can be no more hiding or trying to shift the blame. This is just the beginning. There is still a long road ahead for justice and change. For the 72 people that we lost, who are forever in our hearts, we will not stop until change comes.”
