Last Thursday marked one year since the Grenfell tower fire. The tragic event, claiming the lives of 72 people, and potentially those whose death we will never know, dominated the news for weeks, both for the number of people affected and the horror of a whole block on fire. I doubt the image of the blaze ripping through floor after floor, still burning after 24 hours, will ever leave the mind of witnesses. It was a devastating event, every adjective in the English language never being enough to sum up the monstrosity.
The response from politicians was lacklustre at best. Just when Theresa May should have been most in touch with the public, expressing her clearest amount of solidarity, she failed to meet the victims immediately. Thankfully, she has now rightfully apologized, but this won't stop the negative image of little warmth and compassion. From all parties, an immediate blame game as to which government built the most high rise towers ensued, caring more about the colour of those in office than the survivors and beraved. At the time politicians should have been on the same level as the people, many failed to present themselves in a dignified, statesman like manner. Rightly, the disaster created and exposed much anger. This was no natural disaster. People were horrified about how an incident in the kitchen of one flat was able to spread through the building so quickly. Though the emergency services responded, as ever, valiantly, the ladders remained too short to help those in the uppermost floors. Why an Earth was there only one stairwell to escape? Did the cladding on the building, supposedly to make the building look nicer, accelerate the speed of the fire? Fundamentally, these questions come down to whether the event could have been prevented. This is exactly what the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is looking into. Independently led by Sir Martin More-Bick and assisted by a number of lawyers, they will need to conduct many investigations into the different aspects of the disaster: the context before the fire, how it started, the advice given to 'remain in flats', the speed of the fire escaping and the immediate aftermath. It is a necessity to ensure no such disaster ever happens again. Most people are not any sort of expert in housing policy, how cladding works, the advice of emergency services or re-housing victims. It is for the judge to find those who know what they are talking about, ensure judgements are made and action, by future governments, is taken. What horrifies me so much about this fire is the warnings ordinary residents were giving about potential fire risks. The Grenfell Action Group repeatedly raised concerns about the safety, whether it be of doors, windows, stairs or the cladding. Why weren't they listened to? The group had a website and social media and were clearly able to get out message. It seems impossible, that they could have been ignored, action to try and resolve their concerns was not taken. Could they have done any more? The actions of the council, the richest in the UK, must be examined. If councils pledge to represent all residents, the inquiry may certainly find a failure this time. Among much of the justifiable anger with the council, building contractions and the economic liberalisation policies pursued by successive governments, I have noticed a tone from protesters that goes too far. The Justice For Grenfell page, clearly wishing to ensure the victims are never forgotten, have complained about the lack of any arrests. This immediately suggests someone, an organisation is guilty and knowingly caused the death of residents. In the Grenfell aftermath, shadow chancellor John McDonnell stated victims had been 'murdered' by political decisions. This insensitive language will be no help to the victims or their families. People wanting arrests should remember the rule of law, the fact everyone is innocent until proven guilty and should have trust in the independent inquiry to decide repercussions if necessary. That would be a far greater use of their time than making such ill thought remarks. I feel very lucky and privileged to live where I do. It is a safe area, with friendly neighbours, relatively good schools and excellent access into the city centre. Internally, while everyone should be cautious and astute about the potential risks of a fire, I view such an event in proportion as unlucky. The same could not be said for tens of thousands around the UK living in similar tower blocks to Grenfell. Day after day, reports of buildings failing fire safety tests, relying on fire wardens around the clock filled the news. It made me speechless; the idea 21st century Britain cannot safely house all citizens. A report commissioned after the Grenfell fire even suggested the methods used to test fires are 'utterly inadequate.' This is a stain on the UK. While the inquiry will mainly focus on Grenfell, an investigation (and most importantly action) into the safety of residents everywhere must be top of government's agenda. This inquiry must ensure that victims are put first, at the forefront of investigations, questioning and scrutiny. They are the reason, their deaths the cause for such an inquiry needing to take place. Their families must be respected with support and counselling given. It was rather distressing to hear families at the inquiry were not warned before videos of the burning tower were played. As someone who sadly knew nobody at the tower, I will always find the pictures heart-breaking. For victims that were in the tower, potentially bidding farewell to family members for the last time, it must be a nightmare. That cannot be allowed to continue, and I hope the statement on the Grenfell Tower Inquiry page – promising to give people a chance to leave the room before such material is plated - is enacted. The voices of victims must be heard to ensure no future victims of perhaps avoidable tower fires are there. Grenfell will always be seen as a devastating tragedy, whatever the outcome of the inquiry. People will always be mourning, aghast at the loss of life and destruction of a home to many. Despite this, I can't fail to notice the amount of unity that has come of the disaster. The group 'Grenfell United' espouse just that, their iconic green heart regularly worn by politicians a symbol of togetherness against such future disasters. After the fire, people cared for one another – whatever their gender, race, religion, sexuality or political views – simply on the basis of being another human being. While nobody can be against this assistance, it is only frightening that it should take such a catastrophic, horrendous disaster for this compassion to be shown.
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