UK - Huge fire rips through Grenfell Tower, Latimer Road, White City, London, June 2017

[MelmothTheLost]

Mirror:

Tory minister warned against beefing up fire safety rules to
include sprinklers because it could discourage house building

I shall reserve judgement on this because the article talks about house building and its therefore not clear whether the term is intended to cover all dwellings or just houses. I know that sprinkler systems are not required in individual houses unless they are to be let out as HMOs (Houses in Multipe Occupation - where rooms are let out individually and facilities such as bathrooms, kitchen and livings rooms are shared space. In HMOs it's also required that all doors be self-closing and fire-resistant.

Even if sprinkler systems are not required in tower blocks they should at least be included in any refurbishment of older properties where those properties are not built to current standards. The decision not to include one in this case is down to the management company which apparently was responsible for specifying the refurbishment project. I would guess that a decision was taken to spend the money on other facilities or amenities instead of sprinklers.

I've read that the cladding which was added at the refurbishment last year was intended to provide insulation as well as aesthetic appeal, so may have been a higher priority as an environmenta/ or energy saving measure than the fire systems.

The cost of the project was apparently a little under £10m, not the £20m I mentioned earlier in this thread. Obviously there's a maximum budget for every project like this and certain aspects of work prioritised over others.

Not saying this is the case, but it may be.

 

[skibaboo]

I think all apartments have been cleared of the living -- the firefighters were inside the building from the moment they arrived (incredibly brave). They could make a guess -- but there's no compelling reason to number the dead at this time.
.
.

They keep saying on Sky news that the firefighters have only been able to reach the 20th floor on foot.

 

[gregjrichards]

An animal charity is offering temporary accommodation for dogs and cats needing a place to stay after a tragic fire in west London.

At least six people have died after a fire ripped thought a 24-storey block of flats in north Kensington.

http://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk...ets_of_those_affected_by_Grenfell_Tower_fire/

Sky News is reporting there will be an emergency services update shortly.

 

[skibaboo]

12 fatalities now confirmed, expected to increase

 

[gregjrichards]

12 people have died, long and complex operation, death toll likely to increase further. Priority is they need to try and find all of those unaccounted for. Fire brigade have been able to search almost all of the building it is extremely challenging, 78 patients taken to six hospitals across London, 18 people are in critical condition. Fire brigade rescued 65 people. Still pockets of fire difficult to reach will be on the scene for some time. They don't expect any more survivors. - Latest press conference

 

[bluesneakers]

An animal charity is offering temporary accommodation for dogs and cats needing a place to stay after a tragic fire in west London.

At least six people have died after a fire ripped thought a 24-storey block of flats in north Kensington.

http://www.wandsworthguardian.co.uk...ets_of_those_affected_by_Grenfell_Tower_fire/

Sky News is reporting there will be an emergency services update shortly.

Last night, just as I was falling asleep and my cat jumped on the bed I started crying, worrying and hoping it was a no pets allowed building. I immediately felt awful thinking it, but I was upset all night and I think it was more about what finally letting out I'd been holding in.

I mean... I still can't think about any children who might have been in the building. It's too much.

But now I'm crying again.

We all need this right now.
:grouphug:

 

[skibaboo]

[video=twitter;875023568228274177]https://twitter.com/lisahampele/status/875023568228274177[/video]

Lisa Hampele‏ @lisahampele 52s53 seconds ago
London Fire Service -still pockets fire. Gas prevented getting to top earlier. Have accessed every floor. Not full search. #grenfelltower

 

[skibaboo]

[video=twitter;875022578901037056]https://twitter.com/bbcthree/status/875022578901037056[/video]

 

[ScotAng]

It might be. It would be terrible to hear the number go up five at a time or something. They do that during terrorist attacks and "Police reporting 10 dead" and then "Fifteen dead" and "Thirty dead." It's upsetting, and at this point can they even make a guess?

TV Press conference. 12 confirmed dead, Police Commander anticipates numbers will continue to rise. Aware there could be a number of people not officially registered, perhaps visiting relatives, etc. States they will work closely with the coroner in days to come.

Fire still burning certain parts of the building. Fire Chief says firefighters have accessed every floor, though building remains a challenge. Fractured gas main hampered progress. Confirms considerable number of people in the flats, cant/won't speculate on how many were able to get out. 250 firefighters in attendance at height of fire. Immensely proud of his colleagues.

Looks like updates will be along these lines.

Everyone rallying round with help, wonderful support.

 

[bluesneakers]

TV Press conference. 12 confirmed dead, Police Commander anticipates numbers will continue to rise. Aware there could be a number of people not officially registered, perhaps visiting relatives, etc. States they will work closely with the coroner in days to come.

Fire still burning certain parts of the building. Fire Chief says firefighters have accessed every floor, though building remains a challenge. Fractured gas main hampered progress. Confirms considerable number of people in the flats, cant/won't speculate on how many were able to get out. 250 firefighters in attendance at height of fire. Immensely proud of his colleagues.

Looks like updates will be along these lines.

Everyone rallying round with help, wonderful support.

Terrifying.

One thing we know about Londoners - they will stay strong and supportive.

 

[skibaboo]

[video=twitter;875029247533867008]https://twitter.com/SkyNews/status/875029247533867008[/video]

Sky News‏Verified account @SkyNews 2m2 minutes ago
Police don't anticipate that there will be any further survivors once a full search of #GrenfellTower is completed, they confirm here

 

[ScotAng]

I shall reserve judgement on this because the article talks about house building and its therefore not clear whether the term is intended to cover all dwellings or just houses.

<rsbm> Of course you're right. I have a deep 'disregard' for this person, therefore shouldn't have commented because of that.

 

[gregjrichards]

The Fire and security Minister Mr Nick Hurd has ordered all tower blocks with similar refurbishments are going to be checked.

Prime Minister Theresa May hasn't even bothered to offer her condolences it is disgraceful https://twitter.com/theresa_may

 

[gregjrichards]

"Cut price cladding added to tower blocks built in the 1970s could be to blame for the rapid spread of a fire which claimed the lives of at least 12 people.

New plastic rain-proof cladding was installed at Grenfell Tower in White City, London, in May 2016 as part of a £10million refurbishment - but 'went up like a match' and helped the fire spread quickly from the fourth to 27th floor.

Planning documents reveal the cladding was also added so that the tower would be more visually pleasing when seen from the nearby flats in the affluent west London suburb."


Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...me-spread-tower-block-fire.html#ixzz4jzpRtW1m

 

[skibaboo]

Terrifying.

One thing we know about Londoners - they will stay strong and supportive.

Yes they will but they shouldn't have to. I'm so angry right now. This is no terrorist to blame this is our own. GREED. The lower classes suffer. I know it's early and I know we don't know the full cause of the fire but hearing the cladding was put up to make the tower look like less of an eyesore, to benefit the luxury apartments surrounding the area. WHAT NOW? How about spending that money on improving the safety of the tenants? The people that pay their bills. It's infuriating me. Landlords use the cheapest contractors, the cheapest supplies, barely tow the line of the law yet your rent is a little late and they're all over your a$$

These 'lower' class, the working man and women, they are the ones you find offering help and assistance in time of need, no matter race or religion because they understand what it's like.

This was totally avoidable

 

[skibaboo]

The Fire and security Minister Mr Nick Hurd has ordered all tower blocks with similar refurbishments are going to be checked.

Prime Minister Theresa May hasn't even bothered to offer her condolences it is disgraceful https://twitter.com/theresa_may

She needs to go now.

 

[Elainera]

I saw this on the news only an hour ago and came here to read the thread.

How incredibly sad and tragic. Fires are terrifying, especially in high rise buildings where you have hardly any options.

My heart goes out to those affected and families who lost a loved one. I almost broke down when hearing of the woman who threw her baby out the 10th floor. So very glad it was caught! That's almost a miracle.

My heart also goes out to all the pets that were not able to get out.

Kudos to the firefighters for doing a courageous job in a very dangerous environment.

Terrible terrible tragedy Prayers to everyone.

 

[MelmothTheLost]

The Fire and security Minister Mr Nick Hurd has ordered all tower blocks with similar refurbishments are going to be checked.

Prime Minister Theresa May hasn't even bothered to offer her condolences it is disgraceful https://twitter.com/theresa_may

Yes she has, on the @No10gov account which is the PM's official account.

"PM is deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life at Grenfell Tower. Her thoughts are with all those affected and the emergency services."

 

[Safeguard]

I hate that they keep upping the body count slowly. It feels like torture. Why not just report "unconfirmed number of casualties" until the final count is made. ( as much as possible).

 

[skibaboo]

[video=twitter;875031731765727232]https://twitter.com/theipaper/status/875031731765727232[/video]