Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Only one in 50 tower blocks have sprinklers. We have to fit them now to avoid a new Grenfell
dealing with Grenfell. They must now act urgently to fund retrofitting of tower blocks, starting with those at highest risk.”
But council chiefs want a “case-by-case risk assessed approach” to retrofitting.
In 2007 sprinklers were made compulsory in new high-rises over 30 metres tall in England. The rule does not apply to
GRENFELL residents died in their flats after apparently being told to wait for a helicopter rescue, it was claimed last night.
Up to 40 people were allegedly told to look for help from the roof as the tower burned around them.
The claims were made by a woman saved by her son who hoisted her on to his shoulders to buildings and so failed to cover Grenfell, which was built in 1974.
Campaigner Mr Thompson said it should have been re-categorised as a new-build after refurbishment, as the cladding that led to the fire spreading so rapidly changed its make-up.
After the inquest into the July 2009
run down through the smoke.
Flora Neda, 55, said: “Thirty-five or 40 people came up and they said the fire brigade told us you have to go up and we send for you helicopter rescue.
“One of the Iranian ladies [who took refuge in her flat] spoke to her [own] son, who said that he wanted to come take her away. Lakanal House blaze in South London, in which six died, a coroner recommended ministers “encourage” housing providers to retrofit sprinklers in high-rises.
And after a 2010 fire at Shirley Towers in Southampton, which killed two firefighters, the coroner said councils should be “encouraged to consider” the retroexisting
She replied that this was not necessary as the helicopter was coming to take them away.”
Flora’s son, engineering graduate Farhad Neda, 24, told how he trampled over bodies as they ran to safety. Farhad’s father Saber, 57, died from injuries consistent with falling. His family believe he jumped so he would not burn to death.