With blocks failing safety checks, PM calls for more tests

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May appealed to landlords on Monday to allow potentially flammable building material in their properties to be tested as she sought to reassure residents on safety after a tower block fire killed 79 people in London.

The Grenfell Tower blaze, which trapped dozens of people in their beds, has become a focus of anger at the Conservative government’s austerity cuts and the perceived slow response in trying to look after those who escaped.

It was “concerning” that 100 per cent of tests done on the “cladding” — panels placed on the outside of the building — from 60 high-rise blocks in England had failed combustibility checks, May’s spokesman said.

“Clearly it’s concerning, concerning for residents who are living in these blocks,” the spokesman told reporters at a regular government briefing.

“That’s why we have put in place a system where testing can be carried out very quickly and whereby local authorities are informed immediately when a positive test comes back and that appropriate measures are put in place,” he said.

Responding to criticism that the testing programme was not running quickly enough, he said landlords must get potentially flammable building materials tested as soon as possible.

Material should also be tested in schools and hospitals if there were safety concerns there too.