Grenfell Tower tragedy: UK authorities now say that 60 buildings across the country have failed fire safety tests – TheLiberal.ie – Our News, Your Views

Grenfell Tower tragedy: UK authorities now say that 60 buildings across the country have failed fire safety tests




The fallout from the recent Grenfell Tower tragedy continues to be felt across London and elsewhere.

Local authorities have now confirmed that 60 cladding samples taken from as many high-rise buildings across 25 local authority areas have failed fire safety tests.

The failure rate stands at 100% so far, as every single sample failed basic fire prevention standards, according to authorities.

The areas known to be affected are Doncaster, Norwich, Stockton-on-Tees and Sunderland. Manchester, Plymouth and Portsmouth have also been found to have buildings with poorly made cladding.

In London, Islington, Lambeth and Wandsworth are now also named as areas with “at risk” buildings, alongside Barnet, Brent, Camden and Hounslow.

Authorities are sending the test results to landlords and fire services. Local councils will then convene to decide on the best course of action, which may include total evacuation.

Hundreds of residents were already evacuated from five tower blocks deemed to be “at risk” buildings in the Chalcots estate in Camden, London.

At least 79 people died inside the furnace that that the Grenfell Tower turned into after it caught fire on June 14. The final death toll is expected to be much higher.

It is believed that sub-standard cladding material used in a recent refurbishment contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.

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