14th June 2024, exactly 7 years on from the crisis of the Grenfell Tower fire. Last week marked the seventh anniversary of the tragedy that profoundly impacted countless lives. It resulted in the destruction of 600 homes and claimed the lives of 72 people.
The devastating fire started in the early hours of the morning on 14th June 2017, beginning on the 4th floor and quickly spreading through the 24-storey block of flats. The fire was believed to have originated from a faulty appliance, and the primary reason that it was so fast-spreading was due to the cladding panels on the tower walls.
Investigations after the disaster revealed that the cladding did not meet the building regulations at the time of installation. There is an ongoing public inquiry into the fire at Grenfell Tower since the 15th of June 2017. This is to investigate into the events and causes of how this tragedy came to be.
What can we learn from the tragedy on the night of the 14th of June? It is so important that every industry takes away a lesson from the events 7 years ago. ICE (Institution of Civil Engineers) President Ed McCann states, ‘“We owe it to the 72 people who lost their lives at Grenfell to ensure that lessons are learnt. Our survey shows the majority of civil engineers feel the same. Everyone working in the construction industry has a responsibility to make sure a tragedy like Grenfell never happens again and to maintain public confidence in our profession”.
Professionals across various industries—builders, engineers, and technicians alike—must collaborate to prioritize safety in all construction projects and buildings. It is so important that we work together to leave a safe legacy for future generations.