Grenfell Inquiry Blames Manufacturers for Fire

The Grenfell Tower Inquiry has concluded that systemic dishonesty by manufacturers and incompetence in the refurbishment process were key factors in the deadly 2017 fire that killed 72 people. The report criticized firms like Arconic, Celotex, and Kingspan for manipulating fire safety tests and misrepresenting the safety of their combustible cladding and insulation products. It also highlighted failures in oversight by regulatory bodies, including the British Board of Agrément, which allowed dangerous materials to be used. Furthermore, the inquiry found a widespread culture of negligence within the construction industry, where contractors failed to understand their responsibilities regarding fire safety. The report pointed to a long history of warnings ignored by the government, which had been aware of the risks associated with flammable cladding since at least 1999. Overall, the inquiry attributed the disaster to decades of regulatory failures and a lack of accountability among those involved.