by Winston McKenzie // Columnist
“The Grenfell Disaster”
It came like a thief in the night. Silently. So silent, it engulfed it’s victims with fire, chocking them to death with smoke. They were helpless. Men, women and children, young, old, disabled. It did not discriminate!
I am not ashamed to say that I, and many others, cried for them. Their suffering is palpable amongst the living. Those near and far are grief stricken.
Just before 1am on Wednesday morning, June 14th 2017 Emergency Services were alerted. They promptly raced to the scene, but were immediately incapacitated by the ferocity of the speed of the fire and could not reach the people being burnt alive in so many flats. It seems unbelievable today – that they would face such a challenge.
Collectively Kensington & Chelsea Council must accept the blame. The tenants were under their jurisdiction. So many Questions need Answers. eg:- How many of the 400-600 tenants are dead or missing presumed dead?
We are informed that Grenfell Action Group had repeatedly expressed concern about fire safety and had warned the block’s Management in November 2016 that only a catastrophic fire would finally force them to treat fire related precautions and maintenance properly. Fortunately, for residential properties that have cladding, there are surveyors such as the EWS1 surveyors that assess the safety of exterior cladding. But, devistatingly, it’s clear that this was not the case at Grenfell.
Ultimately the Council appear to have cut corners to save money. It is also unbelievable that no council resource services rushed to the scene. The community had to rely on each other and outside volunteers to help, day after day.
Even the Queen arrived on the scene promptly. Our Majesty’s presence was reassuring to many.
This was a humanitarian crisis. Why did London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, not make a concerted effort to send out a Task Force to assist once it was realised that K&C could not cope – assistance for those bereaved, destitute and traumatised souls.
Grenfell is the most horrific, sad loss of human life I have ever known. It has affected many, and will do so for years to come. Our politicians must realise – people living in Council flats are not second class citizens!
I am a very saddend, CHAMP.
