Anger boils over in wake of block fire

SHOUTING “Killers!” and “We want justice”, dozens of London residents heckled UK Prime Minister Theresa May and stormed local authority headquarters as they demanded justice for the victims of a tower-block fire that left 30 people dead, with dozens more unaccounted for.

May was criticised for avoiding locals when she visited the burnt-out shell of the 24-storey Grenfell Tower on Thursday, but faced cries of “Shame on you” and “Coward” when she returned the following day.

Dozens of police officers held back booing crowds and broke up scuffles as her car drove off from a local church, where she had met survivors, residents and volunteers, promising new funds for those affected.

There were also angry scenes outside the offices of the Kensington and Chelsea council, responsible for managing the 1970s social housing block situated in a working-class enclave in one of London’s richest areas.

There are questions about why the block was not fitted with sprinklers or a central smoke alarm, and whether a recent refurbishment, including new external cladding, helped fuel the flames.

“It was a death trap and they knew it,” one person shouted as demonstrators swelled outside the council building. Dozens went inside and

It was a death trap and they knew it, one person shouted as protestors swelled

clashed with police and security guards.

Another demonstration took place outside May’s Downing Street office, while later in the evening hundreds of mourners gathered near the tower for a candlelight vigil.

The death toll rose to 30 on Friday, but authorities warned it would increase as fire crews picked their way through the wreckage.

May has announced a judge-led inquiry into what happened, and promised £5-million (about R82-million) for emergency supplies, food and clothing.

But accusations of a slow official response have heaped pressure on the prime minister, whose Conservative government remains in limbo after losing its parliamentary majority in last week’s election.

In an interview with the BBC late on Friday, May insisted she was “deeply affected” by the “horrifying” stories of survivors, and repeated that she was determined to help.

She promised that residents would be rehoused within three weeks, and rejected accusations that the government failed to act on recommendations to tighten fire regulations after a block fire in London in 2009.

Desperate relatives have plastered the area surrounding the tower with pictures of the missing, from grandparents to young children.

More than 70 people reportedly remain unaccounted for, and many of those protesting on Friday were demanding the return of their loved ones’ remains. — AFP