Fury as Grenfell Tower site returned to Kensington and Chelsea council

Grenfell residents are angry after being told that the site of the tower tragedy in which 72 people died is to be handed back to Kensington and Chelsea council. 

A police investigation into the June 2017 inferno is expected to come to and end in the next couple of days after which the site, no longer considered a crime scene, will be handed back to the council. 

Adel Chaoui, from the survivors group Grenfell United, slammed the decision and said: ‘It’s a huge conflict of interest and distressing to the victims that RBKC, who are under investigation for corporate manslaughter, will have anything more to do with Grenfell tower, even in name.’

A police investigation into the June 2017 inferno is expected to come to and end in the next couple of days after which the site, no longer considered a crime scene, will be handed back to the council 

The Guardian reports that residents had hoped that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government would take on the site.      

On July 18 detectives investigating the fire revealed they have carried out three interviews under caution as they look into allegations of manslaughter and potential health and safety breaches.

The Metropolitan Police said that the inquiry had moved into a new phase with the interviews, and that more will take place in the coming weeks and months.

Police are considering potential offences including gross negligence manslaughter, corporate manslaughter and breaches of the Health and Safety Act over the devastating blaze.

Residents had hoped that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government would take on the site, rather than the council (Pictured: The remains of thw tower is now covered)

Residents had hoped that the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government would take on the site, rather than the council (Pictured: The remains of thw tower is now covered)

The tower is expected to be demolished after forensic teams have finished their work. It is currently covered in white sheeting.

Residents want to use the site as a permanent memorial to those who died. 

Seventy-two people were killed in the fire in June last year, with questions raised over flammable cladding used on the building and failures in fire safety arrangements.

Officers have spent the last year scouring the tower for forensic evidence and plan to hand back control of the building to Kensington and Chelsea council in early August.  

Seventy-two people were killed in the fire in June last year, with questions raised over flammable cladding used on the building and failures in fire safety arrangements

Seventy-two people were killed in the fire in June last year, with questions raised over flammable cladding used on the building and failures in fire safety arrangements

Commander Stuart Cundy said: ‘The handover of Grenfell Tower by the police will only occur once we are entirely confident that all police work has been completed at the tower and handing the tower over to the responsible body will have no bearing on the ongoing criminal investigation.

GRENFELL TOWER FIRE: A TIMELINE 

2013: Residents express significant safety concerns before the fire. The Grenfell Action Group (GAG) ran a blog in which it highlighted major safety problems, criticising the council and KCTMO for neglecting fire safety and building maintenance. 

2013: The council threaten one of the bloggers with legal action, saying that their posts amounted to ‘defamation and harassment. 

January 2016: GAG warn that people might be trapped in the building if a fire broke out, pointing out that the building had only one entrance and exit, and corridors that had been allowed to fill with rubbish, such as old mattresses. 

November 2016: GAG publish online article accusing the council of ignoring health and safety laws

July 14, 2017: Emergency services receive the first report of the fire at 00.54am.

It burned for about 60 hours until finally being extinguished on June 16.

September 14 2017:  The Grenfell Tower Inquiry begins to investigate the causes of the fire, and other related issues. 

The rapid spread of the fire is attributed to the building’s exterior cladding, a type in widespread use.

August 23 2017: The first Coroner’s Inquests open. All other inquests opened by November 23 2017.

May 17, 2018: An independent review of building regulations and fire safety is published

‘The concerns of the bereaved, survivors and residents as well as the wider community will be central to how the handover takes place. We recognise this will be a significant milestone and one that is bound to stir a range of emotions for all those affected by this tragedy.

‘As part of our careful planning for a transition of responsibility, we are working closely with representatives from central government and London Councils.’

A Kensington and Chelsea Council spokesman said: ‘This is a police matter and they have updated us directly.

‘We will continue to cooperate fully with the police investigation and the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tragedy.

‘Our thoughts will always be with the families affected and with those that lost their lives.

‘We will do whatever it takes to get to the whole, unvarnished truth – no matter what the consequences are for the council.’

Earlier this month it was revealed that 40 households made homeless by the Grenfell Tower tragedy are still living in hotels, with 19 in serviced apartments and three residing with friends or family.

More than a year on from the disaster, 96 of the 204 households have moved into permanent new homes, with 46 in ‘good quality interim accommodation’, Cabinet minister James Brokenshire told MPs.

The Housing, Communities and Local Government Secretary announced that he was publishing ‘clarified’ building regulations fire safety guidance and would also carry out a full-scale review of the rules.

A consultation has been launched on the updated version of the guidance, known as Approved Document B.

A ‘wider technical review’ of the guidance on fire safety will be launched in the autumn.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk