Grenfell Tower!

Another day, brings more bad news from back home in the UK. This time a terrible fire in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, swamping the 24 story Grenfell Tower, right in the heart of London. The emergency services were called just before 1am; it is believed a fridge exploded in one of the flats, quickly engulfing the whole block in flames; within half an hour, every floor was on fire. I personally knew very little about what one should expect in such circumstances. Today I have learned, that this fire should have been confined to the single dwelling, where it began. In the event of such an incident, residents were advised to stay in their flats, behind closed fire doors. These should have protected residents, from any blaze; at least for a period of time, long enough for the emergency services to save lives.

This was no normal fire, something went terribly wrong. Residents taking local council advice, stayed in their homes. This single explosion, did not confine itself to one area. The flames, traveled the height of the building; concerning considering it had only just been renovated at a cost to the tax payer of 8.9 million pounds. Speculation is rife, as it will be after such a fire. Grenfell Tower, as part of its refurbishment, had been clad in new panels, containing a layer of insulation, which was flammable and could have been responsible, for the rapid course of the fire. An expert speaking earlier on the BBC, claimed that gaps, left between the new cladding and the old exterior walls, had acted like a chimney; the fire spread, creating the devastation we are witness to today.

This tower block, like many, were built in the 1970s; there are similar blocks dotted throughout the country; they were constructed to ease a chronic housing shortage during the 1960s and 70s. These were meant to be a temporary measure, constructed cheaply and rapidly; Grenfell Tower could house up to six hundred people. The standards of these buildings, does vary from one structure to another. It is imperative that all local councils, urgently review fire risk assessments and the construction of these developments, especially during refurbishment. One has to remember that Grenfell Tower, was being fitted with external cladding, that it was never designed to accommodate; a recipe for disaster in itself. These panels may well have been approved as safe, but in a tower block environment, they could have been a catalyst for a catastrophic loss of life.

It was harrowing to watch peoples faces at the windows of their flats, screaming for help, as flames engulfed everything around them, These poor people are the victims of a tragedy they will be discussed and assessed for many weeks and months ahead, as officials decide what happened. Today we must remember all those that are involved in this dreadful disaster. So far, it has been announced, that twelve people have died. That toll is likely to rise significantly, as the tower is searched for other casualties. seventy people were taken to London hospitals, many in a critical condition; we all wish them well.

Having lived in the UK, I am well aware of its housing problem. As a nation, it has learned a lot, since the tower block construction of the 1960s and 70s. You can build homes affordably and safely; we should never again make the mistakes we did in the past. Due to chronic shortages, it is near impossible to demolish these large developments, so more tragic accidents will happen again, if they do not follow safety advice to the letter. It remains to be seen just what any inquiry recommends; whatever direction local authorities are given, they must not delay any safety implementations, or more lives will be lost.

There isn't a lack of housing in Spain, comparable to that in the UK. Housing is cheaper here and although Spain does have its own unique housing issues, they are nothing compared to those back home. Once again Britain, should look towards Europe, for solutions to problems, unsolved for generations. Ultimately all these tower blocks should be bulldozed; that isn't going to happen for many, many years; until then the protection of tenants should be a priority. Do not risk peoples lives for profit. This was built as social housing and should be maintained as such. Councils have dramatically cut costs in recent times; this is no longer acceptable.

My thoughts are with all those involved!

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