WORLD
The deaths of 79 people in a London apartment tower have triggered emergency inspections, evacuations and soul searching among British officials who failed to prevent the tragedy.
The deaths of 79 people in a London apartment tower have triggered emergency inspections, evacuations and soul searching among British officials who failed to prevent the tragedy.
But fire-safety experts say governments and builders around the world should take notice, because the fire at Grenfell Tower is just the latest in a string of deadly blazes that demonstrate how building regulations have failed to keep up with changing materials and cuts in inspections and oversight mean problems aren't spotted until it is too late.
The Ghost Ship fire in Oakland, California, made headlines in December, when 36 people were killed in a warehouse that had been illegally converted into living spaces and a music venue. In September, 33 people died in a fire at a packaging plant in Bangladesh.
"They are a collective example of how, either intentionally or accidentally, the fire prevention and protection system has been broken," said Jim Pauley, president of the National Fire Protection Association, which develops fire codes used in the US and around the world.
"A system that the public believes exists and counts on for their safety through complacency, bad policy and placing the economics of construction over safety has let them down." The aftermath of the Grenfell Tower fire shows that the faults that led to the disaster are not isolated.
The government is scrambling to test panels similar to those used at Grenfell Tower, and has found at least 60 buildings covered in similarly flammable material.
Thousands of people have been evacuated from four high- rises in north London after inspectors found fire-safety problems, including faulty fire doors. The city of Birmingham has decided to install sprinklers in all its public housing towers four years after coroners investigating deadly fires suggested this be done throughout the country.
John Bonney, a former chief officer for the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, regrets that it took a disaster to trigger action. Seven years ago, Bonney vowed to improve conditions after two of his firefighters died in a blaze in a high-rise apartment building in Southampton.
"I call it tombstone legislation — it appears after significant losses of life," Bonney said.
The residents of Grenfell Tower didn't realize the danger they faced when they went to bed June 13.
A fire that started in a refrigerator just after midnight quickly spread throughout the 24-story tower. As firefighters arrived, flames were shooting up the outside of the building, trapping residents inside.
"How is that even possible?!" one incredulous firefighter asked in a cell-phone video captured as his engine approached the tower.
While the investigation is still underway, fire experts believe part of the answer may be the aluminum composite material recently attached to the outside of the building.
The material, essentially two thin sheets of aluminum around a layer of insulation, has been used for decades, but its popularity has grown in recent years because it offers a relatively inexpensive way to save energy and beautify buildings.
Experts have warned about risks posed by the panels for years because some varieties use highly flammable plastic foam insulation, which can rapidly spread fires once it ignites, as previously seen in Australia, China and Dubai. Even panels rated fire-resistant can be dangerous if they aren't properly installed.
Bonney argues that rules aren't strict enough and that efforts to tighten fire-safety rules have been stymied by the government's drive to reduce the burden of regulation on business.
"The U.K. has prided itself with having a good fire protection record, so why has that happened?" said Bonney. "One of the reasons is the technology that is now being used in building materials and building fabrics has outstripped the codes and standards in practice."
And the rules that do exist can't be effective if they aren't enforced.
Government statistics show that the number of fire-safety inspections in England dropped by 25 percent from 2011 to 2016. Some 367 people died in fires across the U.K. last year, up 12 percent from two years earlier but still down from the 407 recorded in 2011.
That came as Conservative-led governments reduced funding for fire departments by 30 percent, cutting 10,000 firefighting jobs across the country, according to the Fire Brigades Union.
The party has overseen seven years of austerity as it seeks to reduce Britain's debts following the global financial crisis.
Residents of Grenfell Tower complained about fire-safety concerns for at least four years prior to the disaster.
The Confederation of Fire Protection Associations International issued a broad warning after the Grenfell Tower fire that says those who design and build structures should embrace fire protection as a fundamental consideration in their work, even in the absence of strong governmental oversight. The group includes fire-safety officials from 28 countries, including China, India and South Africa, as well as the US and most European nations.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
Samantha Ruth Prabhu's Dippam Dappam dance leaves Chennai students awestruck, viral video
Breaking MS Dhoni's record is no big deal for Dinesh Karthik: 'It’s not something...'
Amid Mahakumbh rush, video of vehicle running on railway track goes viral; here's why
Who is Rohit Chopra? Indian-origin businessman called arrogant by JPMorgan CEO Jamie Dimon
All eyes on Mohammed bin Salman, as Trump, Putin and Zelensky set to meet in Saudi Arabia for...
WATCH: BJP office bearer dances to ‘Main Hoon Don’ flashing gun, FIR filed
Nepal student death: Massive protests at Odisha's KIIT University, students demand justice
Meet man, son of famous film actor, cracked UPSC exam with full-time job, his AIR was…
Mahakumbh 2025: Fire breaks out again at Prayagraj, no casualties reported
Gautam Adani, India's second richest man, donates Rs 2000 crore for setting up 20...
Dil Madharasi Teaser: Sivakarthikeyan impresses in rugged avatar, to face off against Vidyut Jammwal
‘I am not a...’: Jaya Kishori BREAKS silence on her Rs 2.6 lakh Dior bag controversy, WATCH here
PCB breaks silence on no Indian flags in Pakistani stadiums ahead of Champions Trophy 2025
Delhi residents report hearing mysterious ‘boom’ sound during earthquake; what caused it?
After Narayana Murthy's Infosys, Ratan Tata’s TCS makes BIG announcement, set to issue...
JPMorgan Chase CEO rejects hybrid work requests from employees amid layoffs says, ‘Don’t waste...'
Auspicious Start for 'Jatadhara': Mahurat ceremony held in Hyderabad
Kirill Yurovskiy: How to Build a Sustainable Fashion Brand in the UK
Bad news for Jhunjhunwala as the company loses Rs..., stock goes down by...
Audi launches Audi RS Q8 2025 in India: Know price, specifications and unique features
The Power of Ayurveda: Dr Shyam's Ayurveda Leads the Wellness Revolution in Dubai
15 Crucial Factors to Consider Before Choosing MBBS in Georgia 2025: Education Vibes
Narayana Dominates JEE Main 2025 Session 1 with Exceptional Results
Karan Johar says Yash Johar was 'heartbroken' when Amitabh Bachchan's... flopped: 'He believed...'
Meet Acharya Indravarman: The best astrologer in Bengaluru & Karnataka
How to increase your chances of getting a personal loan
After retaining Asia's richest family tag, now Mukesh Ambani's Reliance beats Apple to become...
Ex-star cricketer, wife buy luxury apartment for Rs 110000000, it is located in...
How a name change caused makers of Bira beer to lose hundreds of crores; know what happened
The Power of Networking: How IFERP memberships open doors to global opportunities for universities
India's Got Latent row: Maharashtra Cyber Cell refuses Samay Raina's special request to...
Mukesh Ambani's wife Nita Ambani makes passionate pitch for Olympics 2036, says 'India will...'
Jyotiraditya Scindia makes BIG announcement on 6G, claims internet speed will be...
Meet man, who was once member of MS Dhoni-led Chennai Super Kings, now works as a bus driver
Did Virat Kohli get special food delivery amid BCCI's 'no personal chef' rule? Report claims...
Gautam Adani's BIG move in space sector, Adani-backed firm among three finalists in India's...
New India Co-op Bank: RBI uncovers massive fraud of Rs 122 crore; know what’s the case
Shakira hospitalised due to abdominal pain, apologises to fans for cancelling Peru concert
South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron of A Brand New Life fame found dead at 24
'Life-threatening cold' ALERT in US as Polar Vortex, snow, floods grip America: What does that mean?
Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi, who is better? 66 per cent of former footballers believe...
Champions Trophy 2025: No Indian flag in Lahore Stadium sparks controversy ahead of tournament
After strong tremors in Delhi-NCR, 4.0 magnitude earthquake jolts Bihar's Siwan
Delhi-NCR earthquake: Netizens react with hilarious memes amid 4.0 magnitude tremors, check here
BAFTA: Payal Kapdia's All We Imagine As Light faces another disappointment, films loses to...
Student paraglides to college after getting late for exam, netizens react, watch viral video
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu issues BIG warning to Hamas: 'Gates of hell will...'
Delhi-NCR Earthquake Today: Tremors of magnitude 4 jolt Delhi and adjoining areas
This film has broken world box office records, not Hollywood, Bollywood but...
Meet Satyam Pandey who got high-paying job offer, not from IIM, NIT, IIIT, his annual salary is…
Gurgaon couple reunites with lost dog after three-month search in Agra
Meet man, IIT graduate, who topped UPSC exam in third attempt, he is from...
Noida authority takes BIG action against promoters of 2 housing projects, as realty firm fails to...
WPL 2025: Ashleigh Gardner, Deandra Dottin star as Gujarat Giants beat UP Warriorz by 6 wickets
This city is the coldest, darkest and most polluted in the world, tourists are banned here due to...
New Fastag rules from today: Users may incur additional charges if...; check details
Inside Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan's son Jeh's mario-themed birthday bash, watch
Meet Indian genius, who got high-paying job offer, not from IIT, IIM, his annual salary is Rs…
Shoaib Ibrahim gifts new house to his mother-in-law, Dipika Kakar's mother gets emotional