Grenfell survivors say ‘enough is enough’ after towerblock blaze
Survivors and bereaved relatives from the Grenfell Tower fire have told the Government "enough is enough" after a blaze at a London block bearing the same cladding left 40 people in need of treatment.
London Fire Brigade (LFB) said two adults had gone to hospital after suffering the effects of smoke inhalation and a further 38 adults and four children were treated at the scene after the fire ripped through the 19-storey New Providence Wharf development, near Canary Wharf, on Friday morning.
Approximately 22 per cent of the building's facade features aluminium composite material polyethylene (ACM PE) cladding panels, which were found to be a key factor in the 2017 Grenfell fire.
Survivors' and relatives' group Grenfell United said in a statement: "We are horrified by the news of the fire at the
New Providence Wharf today. When will the Government take this scandal seriously? Enough is enough.
"The Government promised to remove dangerous cladding by June 2020 – it has completely failed its own target and every day that goes by lives are at risk. Today more people have lost their homes in another terrifying fire.
"The Government needs to treat this as an emergency and stop stonewalling residents who are raising concerns. No more games, no more excuses."
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan said: "The spectre of the tragedy at Grenfell still hangs over our city. Today we have seen again why residents in buildings with flammable cladding are living in fear.
"It is vital that Government, developers, building owners and regional authorities work together to urgently remove the cladding from every affected building."
Work to replace the cladding was "under way" and the main contractor had been due to take possession of the site on Monday, according to building developer Ballymore.
Pictures and videos on social media show part of the building engulfed in flames, with thick grey smoke pouring out of the block, several stories high. The fire comes just days after the introduction of post-grenfell fire safety regulations, which campaigners argue could leave leaseholders paying tens of thousands to remove cladding.