The manager of the 24-story, 120-unit public housing complex devastated by fire in west London says it is too early to speculate what caused the inferno and what contributed to its spread.
The Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organization says it will cooperate fully “with all the relevant authorities in order to ascertain the cause of this tragedy,” in which at least 12 people died.
The organization has spent 10 million pounds ($12.8 million) refurbishing the building over the past two years. The project included installation of insulated exterior cladding, double-glazed windows and a communal heating system.
The organization said: “We are aware that concerns have been raised historically by residents. We always take all concerns seriously and these will form part of our forthcoming investigations. While these investigations continue with our cooperation, our core priority at the moment is our residents.
The company was formed in 2006 as part a drive to let tenants manage their own homes. It manages 9,400 units under an agreement with the local council.
The tenants set up a website to document the building’s lack of health and safety checks and resulting risk of fire, but sure, whatever you say. These bastards deserve to get taken to the cleaners.
Some of the images appear to show the recently-installed, ostensibly fireproof cladding burning strongly. Reports elsewhere say that code requires firebreaks in the cladding (and in the airspace behind the cladding) at every floor and every window. Is it plausible that someone forgot to install or to inspect, free enterprise being what it is?
Terribly, terribly sad.
That’s a nice word for it.
This was just so awful.
I really hate tall buildings and this is one main reason why. I just hate them. I’d love it if we’d quit building them.