Investigations into the Grenfell Tower disaster continue. As detectives are trying to identify the causes, they have now revealed that a door located on a lower floor the fire hadn't gutted and only resisted fire for 15 minutes rather than 30. A spokesman said this was "a much shorter period than expected." However, government officials who've been informed of the test results said that further investigations were necessary to determine whether the heat in the rest of the building may have altered the fire resistance of the door.
Following the initial forensic examination of the site, experts have been carrying out offsite tests.
Testing the fire resistance of this door was part of this series of tests.
In a letter to the families affected by the Grenfell Tower disaster, Scotland Yard said it was "unable to comment as to the potential impact or otherwise that any test result may have on the overall criminal investigation." The forensic examination, as well as offsite testing process, continues.
10 months ago, tests revealed that the synthetic insulation and cladding that had been fitted in 2015 were combustible.
Grenfell Residents' Reaction
Grenfell residents have reacted with shock and dismay to these latest revelations, releasing a statement on Twitter:
Grenfell United are shocked to hear the findings in regards to the doors in Grenfell Tower. Here is our statement on the latest findings. pic.twitter.com/ExJnsvYTJh
— Grenfell United (@GrenfellUnited) March 15, 2018
#Justiceforegreenfell campaign continues
Nine months after the fire that took the lives of 71 people, the #justiceforgrenfell campaign continues.
In many cities across the UK, people took part in silent marches on 14 March to show solidarity with survivors and mourn the loss of so many lives.
Nine months on, people still want justice for the victims of the Grenfell fire 😥 pic.twitter.com/qpolKCtMlN
— BBC Radio Bristol (@bbcrb) March 14, 2018
Survivors, affected family members, and supporters have also put forward a petition, calling on the Prime Minister to take action to build public trust in the Grenfell inquiry.
This petition will now be debated in Parliament on 14 May of this year.
The public inquiry into the fire set to resume next week
Next week sees the resumption of the public inquiry led by Sir Martin Moore-Bick. But the inquiry has left many Grenfell residents frustrated and angry for a number of reasons. The scope of the inquiry, as well as the fact that residents are not allowed to actively participate and ask questions, has created a level of distrust which residents now hope to address through the above-mentioned petition.
In the two-phase inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick will examine the response of the emergency services and the evacuation. Furthermore, the inquiry will cover how the fire started and spread. Finally, it will examine the design and refurbishment of the building and the decision-making process involved.
A report on Phase 1 of the inquiry is expected in autumn.
Grenfell criminal investigation continues
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police are continuing their criminal investigation into the disaster. However, according to a police source, it could be 2019 before the investigation comes to a conclusion. Individuals and companies may face manslaughter charges. Nearly 400 companies were involved in the construction and refurbishment of the #Grenfell Tower.
