Fridge-maker ‘is trying to shift blame for starting Grenfell fire’
THE maker of a fridge-freezer suspected of causing the Grenfell Tower inferno claims it could have been sparked by a lit cigarette, the inquiry into the tragedy heard yesterday.
The fire, which led to 72 deaths, started in flat 16 on the fourth floor, which was home to Behailu Kebede, 45.
The manufacturers of the Hotpoint machine allegedly made a “desperate” attempt to deflect the blame by claiming the blaze may not have started electrically but “by someone throwing something – perhaps a burning cigarette – into the kitchen through the open window”.
Rajiv Menon QC, who represents Mr Kebede, revealed details of the claim in his closing address to the inquiry.
He called for inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick to “unequivocally” clear his client of any responsibility for the tragedy.
Mr Menon told the London hearing: “As far as the theory of the fire having started as a result of something being thrown through the open window is concerned, this is pure speculation, desperate to put it politely.
Discarded
“There is no evidence in support, it would have been impossible for a cigarette to have been launched from ground level four floors down. It is equally impossible to imagine how a cigarette or some other mystery item discarded from a flat above could have miraculously entered the kitchen through the open window, let alone set anything in the vicinity alight.”
The Whirlpool Corporation, which manufactures the Hotpoint model, is said to have made the claim in its closing statement which has been circulated among lawyers.
Mr Menon said the suggestion was a “transparent attempt by a multinational corporation to try to avoid liability and minimise reputational damage and financial loss”.
Last month expert Dr John Duncan Glover concluded that the blaze probably began in the machine.
A spokeswoman for Whirlpool Corporation said: “We are committed to assisting the Grenfell Tower Inquiry in any way we can as it continues to investigate all the potential causes of the fire.
“Separately we would like to reassure owners of these products that they are safe and they can continue to use them as normal.”
She said two investigations had found “no evidence of any fault” with the fridge freezer model and that the Government had verified their conclusions.
The inquiry into the tragedy on June 14 last year is now hearing closing statements from lawyers representing the bereaved, survivors, and organisations involved with the tower.