Govt scrambles to limit fallout from London fire
The British government yesterday scrambled to contain political fallout from the London high-rise inferno that has claimed at least 58 lives. The cause of Wednesday’s blaze is still under investigation, but anger has mounted in the community amid reports that exterior paneling used in an extensive renovation completed last year may have spread the flames. Treasury chief Philip Hammond said Sunday he believes the flammable cladding used on the building’s exterior is banned in Britain.
Labour Party lawmaker David Lammy said that the government and the police should immediately seize all documents relating to the building’s renovation to prevent the destruction of evidence that could show criminal wrongdoing. “The prime minister needs to act immediately to ensure that all evidence is protected so that everyone culpable for what happened at Grenfell Tower is held to account and feels the full force of the law,” Lammy said.
He said all records, including emails, minutes of meetings, correspondence with contractors, safety assessments, specifications and reports - must be kept intact. “When the truth comes out about this tragedy, we may find that there is blood on the hands of a number of organizations,” Lammy said. Prime Minister Theresa May said more help will be sent to the scene to help survivors cope and find alternative housing now that the 24-story Grenfell Tower has been destroyed. “I have ordered that more staff be deployed across the area, wearing high visibility clothing, so they can easily be found, dispense advice and ensure the right support is provided,” May said after a meeting with survivors at her Downing Street office on Saturday.
In addition, British health authorities will provide long-term bereavement counselling for those who lost loved ones in the tragedy. Counselors are already working with 52 families. There has been a public outcry at the government’s initial failure to provide up-to-the minute information. May, criticized in the first few days after the blaze for failing to meet with victims, says the public inquiry looking into the tragedy will report directly to her.
She says she will receive daily reports from the stricken neighborhood, where hundreds of people have been displaced. Anger among residents has been mounting in recent days as information about the missing has been scanty and efforts to find temporary housing have faltered. British officials say they are helping the Syrian family of the first officially confirmed victim of the London tower blaze to come to Britain.
The Home Office said late Saturday night it will make arrangements for the family of Mohammad Alhajali to “travel to the UK in these terribly sad circumstances.” The 23-year-old Alhajali is the only victim of the Grenfell Tower fire to be officially named as the difficult process of identifying human remains continues. His family said in a statement that Alhajali “came to the UK because he had ambitions and aims for his life and for his family.”
Police say at least 58 people are either confirmed or presumed dead, with the figure likely to rise in coming days. Officials are using dental records, fingerprints and DNA samples to try and positively identify victims. They say they will also use visual elements like tattoos and scars, in the painstaking process. Sixteen bodies have been taken to a mortuary for examination.— AP