London police authorities have informed that fire at the Grenfell Tower first began in a fridge freezer. It is said the model of fridge freezer FF175BP was not subject to a recall and the manufacturer is currently doing further tests. Also, the insulation and tiles recovered from the 24-storey building also failed fire safety tests. Police said charges of manslaughter will be among the offences to be considered in the investigation.
Detective Superintendent Fiona McCormack said, “Officers have seized documents in the investigation into the fire. What we are being told at the moment by the Building Research Establishment is that the cladding and insulation failed all safety test.” The residential building caught fire in the early hours of June 13, trapping over hundreds of people.
A report said, “Eleven buildings have now been identified as having combustible cladding such as that used on the Grenfell Tower. The cladding is being studied amid fears that the panels fuelled the fire in the 24-story building that was engulfed in less than an hour. Buildings in London, Manchester, and Plymouth are among those where problem cladding has been identified.”
Meanwhile on Tuesday There should be a "major national investigation" into the use of cladding on high-rise towers, Theresa May says. It comes as it was revealed cladding from 95 towers in 32 local authority areas in England had failed fire safety tests - all of the samples submitted so far since the Grenfell Tower fire. An expert panel to advise on immediate safety action has been appointed.
A public inquiry has already been ordered into the 14 June blaze, which is feared to have left 79 people dead.
According to newly released Home Office statistics, there were 714 fires in purpose-built blocks of 10 storeys or more in England in the 12 months to April - compared with 1,261 fires in 2009-10.
Of those high-rise fires last year, 56 spread further than the "room of origin" and three people died, compared with 12 fatalities in 2009-10.
Communities Secretary Sajid Javid has issued an urgent call for all councils to send in samples of cladding from tall buildings.
He also told Tuesday's cabinet meeting that schools and hospitals may do the same if they have concerns.
