9/11 terrorist attack experts to help Grenfell fire investigation

We are working through floor by floor, sifting the debris. Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey.

EXPERTS FROM the 9/11 terror attack have been brought in to help provide specialist knowledge to the police investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire.

Metropolitan Police Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey said the “extraordinary size” of the potential crime scene meant those who worked in the aftermath of the Twin Towers disaster in 2001 were being called upon.

Mr Mackey said the 200 UK officers already working on the case were faced with sifting through 15 tonnes of debris on each of the building’s 24 floors.

It came as Scotland Yard confirmed the latest victim as 68-year-old Marjorie Vital. At least 80 people are thought to have died in the devastating fire in north Kensington on June 14.

Giving an update at the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee, Mr Mackey said: “This is one of the most complex recovery operations we’ve seen.

“The people we’re taking advice from – which gives you an idea of the complexity – are some of the people who worked on 9/11 and the fall of the towers.

“It is an extraordinary size of crime scene.”

Mr Mackey said it was necessary to call on US counterparts because of their experience in a “comparable” operation.

He said: “Without wanting to be too graphic – but I hope it helps explain – the fire in some parts of that building (Grenfell) burned at over 1,000 degrees for a considerable period of time.

“So we are now working through floor by floor and it is literally a case of sifting and working through the debris – sadly, the remains – to try and desperately identify parts of people so we can reunite (the remains with families).

“There’s about 15 tonnes of material to work through and we think we’ll be working through until Christmas time in terms of working through that scene gathering all the evidence.”

He said the investigation was “going to be one of the largest and most complex” in the Met’s history, but added that he would be “guessing” if he had to put a timeframe on when any arrests might be made.

Meanwhile, the new leader of the council at the centre of the fire has rejected calls to resign, after a meeting heard traumatic accounts of survivors’ experiences since the blaze.

Newly elected Elizabeth Campbell faced boos and heckling at a packed public meeting in Kensington Town Hall, but said she is stepping up to the challenge and pledged to rebuild trust among the community “brick by brick”.

The first full meeting of Kensington and Chelsea Council since the fire five weeks ago saw a public gallery filled with former Grenfell Tower residents and an overspill room containing at least 150 community members and volunteers.

The news comes as MPs heard that Grenfell Tower survivors are “almost being blackmailed” in to accepting new temporary homes they do not want.

Shadow Housing Secretary John Healey, MP for Wentworth and Dearne, told the Commons he continues to receive reports of residents being told they will be made “intentionally homeless” if they refuse an offer of temporary accommodation despite Government assurances this would not occur. Speaking in the Commons, Mr Healey said 169 families lost their homes following the fire but only 10 have moved out of emergency hotels and hostels.

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid said a taskforce will advise the council and to provide advice on re-housing and community engagement.