[UK] Grenfell Tower Fire: 80 dead; Camden towers evacuated

[Minoa]

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40269625

That is extremely shocking given that we were normally known for tough safety standards, and … that happened near my favourite quartet of tower blocks! (explanation)

I hope everyone is okay.

Do you live near the area? What are your thoughts on the incident? Are we neglecting a lot on safety standards?

---

Since I started the thread, I rushed myself to the scene and the tower was still on fire.

Click here to see what I witnessed.

Here are some of my photos:

[Vallermoore]

Is it an accident? Faulty electrics? Non terrorist arson? Terrorist arson?

[Frenequesta]

Rarely do you actually see such a large building completely engulfed.

Is it an accident? Faulty electrics? Non terrorist arson? Terrorist arson?

Don't think we know.

[Major-Tom]

The cause is unknown - but it looks like the entire tower was engulfed. This is very very concerning.

[Major-Tom]

Yeah, I'm getting worried.

[Donut section]

That's fucked, I hope everyone is ok.

[Frenequesta]

That's fucked, I hope everyone is ok.

40 people have already been taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation. They are most definitely not okay.

[Sovaal]

Yeah, I'm getting worried.

Goddamn

[USS Monitor]

Here's hoping as many people as possible make it out safe, and the ones that have been taken to the hospital recover. It looks really bad, though, so I'm not that optimistic...

[Philjia]

Probably a shitty 60s one. Those things should all have been demolished or refurbished years ago.

[Olivaero]

Just been reading about it on the bbc. Looks like there might of been concerns about fire safety before this happened. and it also sounds like a lot of people might of not gotten out

[Costa Fierro]

The building was just recently refurbished, but residents were still concerned about fire safety as there was only one staircase in the entire building. Fatalities have been confirmed.

[Risottia]

Source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-london-40269625

That is extremely shocking given that we were normally known for tough safety standards, and … that happened near my favourite quartet of tower blocks!

I hope everyone is okay.

Do you live near the area? What are your thoughts on the incident? Are we neglecting a lot on safety standards?

Given what the Beeb reports there were faults with the fire alarm and fire extinguishing systems for sure.

I think there's a fundamental problem no one is taking about, though. The LFB couldn't reach the floors above the tenth from outside. I think a standard rule, at least for residential building, should be that if the fire fighters can't get there from outside you don't get to build it.

[Risottia]

Probably a shitty 60s one. Those things should all have been demolished or refurbished years ago.

70s-80s afaik, refurbished last year.
Looks like the cladding that was added actually spread the fire.

[Frank Zipper]

It was built in 1974.

That cladding should not burn like that.

[Costa Fierro]

Residents were told by the building owners to stay inside their apartments if there was a fire, as they were "fireproofed" to last an hour. By then it was assumed they would be rescued. Whoever owns the building is probably going to face some serious charges if it's found to be negligence which caused the blaze.

[Frank Zipper]

I've got a horrible feeling that the number of fatalities is going to be high.

[Risottia]

Residents were told by the building owners to stay inside their apartments if there was a fire, as they were "fireproofed" to last an hour. By then it was assumed they would be rescued. Whoever owns the building is probably going to face some serious charges if it's found to be negligence which caused the blaze.

Iirc it's council property?

[Costa Fierro]

Residents were told by the building owners to stay inside their apartments if there was a fire, as they were "fireproofed" to last an hour. By then it was assumed they would be rescued. Whoever owns the building is probably going to face some serious charges if it's found to be negligence which caused the blaze.

Iirc it's council property?

It might be. There's references made to a "council landlord" but I'm not sure how that works in the United Kingdom.

[Minoa]

Hi all, I am at the scene and I know little about the exact number of injuries or deaths, but the situation is extremely grim, given the number of homeless and the extent of the destruction. The fire is still raging in a number of flats that the firefighters cannot reach.

Extra: I have photos, but I need to get home first and upload there. I do not know at this time about the structural integrity of the tower block.

Extra 2: This message was posted from one of my mobile phones: I should get an iPad next time, the small screen is getting on my nerves.

[Frank Zipper]

Given the age of the building, I have concerns that they may well have used asbestos in its construction.

[Imperializt Russia]

The tower in question had extensive renovation work done to the exterior of the building, fitting window frames and cladding to the walls.

Given how it seems that the entire tower was engulfed in minutes, my suspicion is that the cladding material was somehow highly flammable.
This is absolutely awful, and if that is the case, I imagine the book is gonna be thrown at the construction company.

[Alizeria]

My uncle lives not too far from there, and I myself lived in the general area about five years ago, but he's not in London right now so didn't see anything. Still, this is utterly, utterly disturbing.

[Frank Zipper]

I'm wondering how they were attaching the cladding - is it bolted on or is some kind of adhesive used?

[Imperializt Russia]

Given the age of the building, I have concerns that they may well have used asbestos in its construction.

Asbestos is flame retardant though?

I'm wondering how they were attaching the cladding - is it bolted on or is some kind of adhesive used?

I'd imagine bolted on, I wouldn't trust external panels on a high-rise building any other way.