British Prime Minister Keir Starmer formally apologized on Wednesday to the victims and families affected by the 2017 Grenfell Tower fire, which killed 72 people.
“I want to start with an apology on behalf of the British state to each and every one of you, and indeed, to all of the families affected by this tragedy. It should never have happened. The country failed to discharge its most fundamental duty, to protect you and your loved ones, the people that we are here to serve, and I am deeply sorry,” he told parliament, responding to the publication of a public inquiry report into the blaze.
The Grenfell Tower fire, which began in the early hours of June 14, 2017, was one of the deadliest fires in the UK in recent history. The blaze originated from an electrical fault in a refrigerator on the fourth floor and rapidly engulfed the 24-story building due to a combination of combustible materials and inadequate fire safety measures. The fire burned for 60 hours and became the deadliest structural fire in the UK since the 1988 Piper Alpha oil-platform disaster.
The inquiry report reveals critical failures in building safety, including the use of highly flammable cladding and poor installation of cavity barriers, which facilitated the swift and uncontrollable spread of the fire. The response to the fire involved over 250 firefighters, 70 fire engines, and numerous ambulances and police units. Despite their efforts, the fire led to significant loss of life and extensive injuries.
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In the aftermath, multiple investigations have scrutinized the roles of various parties, including the Kenssington and Chelsea London Borough Council, the building management company and the companies responsible for the cladding. The inquiry also highlighted the shortcomings in fire safety regulations and emergency responses.
An independent review of building regulations and fire safety, commissioned by Parliament, highlighted the need for urgent reform. Efforts to replace dangerous cladding on similar buildings are ongoing, though the process has been hampered by the broader cladding crisis affecting the UK.
The Grenfell Tower Inquiry, which began in September 2017, published its final report on September 4, 2024. The report’s findings will lead to further police investigations and potential legal proceedings, with criminal cases anticipated to extend into 2027.
In a significant development in April 2023, a group of 22 organizations, including cladding company Arconic and Whirlpool, reached a civil settlement with 900 people affected by the fire.
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