Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry Concludes, Blaming Arconic for Concealing Fire Risks
ICARO Media Group
The long-awaited final report of the public inquiry into the devastating fire that claimed 72 lives at Grenfell Tower in 2017 has been published, revealing a litany of failures and calling for those responsible to be held accountable. Among the entities implicated in the tragedy is American company Arconic, whose subsidiary sold the building's exterior cladding.
The report, led by retired judge Martin Moore-Bick, stated that all the deaths in the fire were avoidable. It attributed the disaster to a combination of factors including shoddy construction, poor materials, inadequate fire safety standards, and mismanagement at the local level. The tragedy was described as London's deadliest since World War II.
Arconic, the Pittsburgh-based company that manufactured and sold the cladding through its French subsidiary, was singled out for deliberate concealment of the dangers associated with the materials used in the renovation of Grenfell Tower. The report highlighted that the company was aware of the fire risk posed by the cladding but chose to exploit weak regulations in certain countries, including the UK, to continue selling it for use on residential buildings.
Arconic rejected the claim that its subsidiary sold an unsafe product and stated that it regularly conducted third-party tests on its materials. The company argued that the test results were publicly available and provided to customers, insisting that it did not conceal information or mislead certification bodies, customers, or the public.
However, earlier phases of the inquiry revealed emails suggesting that some Arconic employees were aware of the fire risk associated with the cladding used on Grenfell Tower, but the company continued to sell it regardless. When questioned about this in 2021, Arconic stated that it was cooperating with the ongoing inquiry and would refrain from commenting further until all evidence has been presented.
The repercussions of the Grenfell Tower fire have extended beyond the tragedy itself. Buildings across the UK covered in similar cladding materials were found to be unsafe, leaving thousands of residents in dangerous homes and unable to sell their properties due to mortgage restrictions. The findings of the public inquiry have reignited calls for justice and accountability.
Families of the victims and survivors expressed frustration, with some believing that criminal prosecutions should have taken place prior to the inquiry. They criticized the platform given to those responsible for the failures, arguing that it allowed them to present their version of events before facing legal consequences.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer supported the demands for swift justice and pledged to take action against companies found to be at fault. Khan called for these companies to be barred from receiving public contracts, while Starmer vowed to write to them as a first step towards preventing future government affiliations.
As the Grenfell Tower fire inquiry concludes, the focus now shifts to ensuring that the tragedy results in fundamental changes to prevent such disasters from happening again. The report serves as a wake-up call for the industry, emphasizing the need for accountability and a commitment to prioritizing the safety of people in their homes.
Note: This news article has been generated based on the information provided by the user and does not reflect any real events or quotes from actual individuals.