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Lessons to learn from the Grenfell fire
Grenfell has served to highlight the scope of responsibility tower block owners have, says Kate Davies
Notting Hill Housing provides temporary housing in Kensington, and owned three flats in Grenfell Tower as well as 23 homes on the Lancaster West Estate. Tragically, of the 12 residents we had living in the tower itself, we have only traced four since the blaze.
We know one family of five were at home together on the 17th floor. The children – all in their 20s – tried to protect their parents and we know that they spent some of their last moments on the phone speaking to their brother. We can imagine the harrowing conversation that took place as they explained what was happening and said goodbye.
Another resident lived on the 23rd floor with her daughter and was being visited by her son. The mother was elderly and disabled and in the weeks preceding the fire, we were trying to get the family rehoused in more accessible accommodation.
Four members of one family living on the 11th floor managed to escape – but sadly their elderly father didn’t make it. We are now working with the survivors to find them a permanent home.
We are a close community. Many of our staff come from or live in the area and many participate in local clubs and churches. Some of our staff witnessed the events, or know people who died or were affected. They heard the screams and smelled the black clouds of smoke.
They walk past the burned out, blackened block daily. Everyone is traumatised as we continue to seek specialist agencies to help our residents and staff.
The local residents and the media are keen to find someone to take the blame – and maybe it will eventually be found that crimes have been committed. But what can we learn?
“Some of our staff witnessed the events, or know people who died or were affected.”
The Grenfell fire took place in a divided borough where many of the better off are unaware of the grinding poverty of homeless people, or of the reality of living in a tower block.
In Kensington the rich and poor don’t mix much. The difference between some of its leafy squares and North Kensington – with its 1970s blocks, community centres and poor transport links – is stark. Grenfell highlighted what can happen when social housing and social tenants are kept out of sight and mind.
We house poor people, homeless people, refugees, older and disabled people, and vulnerable households. The standards we set for their housing need to be higher than those we set for ourselves. Fire, gas, electricity and the hazards associated with high-rise living need to be obsessively managed and overseen by the board.
If our tenants are worried about health and safety, we must listen and respond.
New build standards for towers are high; sprinklers capable of putting out a fire are mandatory. Fire-proof means of escape, with sprinklers and vents where appropriate, will ensure safe evacuation. We need to ensure we have got it right and, if not, to fix it fast so we can build safe homes.
Retrofitting is more problematic. Grenfell, as it was originally built, was not comfortable. In winter it was cold and the heating bills were high. Cladding was fitted to provide insulation, reduce fuel poverty and improve health.
As we now know, refurbishment standards are confusing, contested and inadequate. The industry, major housing associations, councils and safety bodies need to come together to propose sensible, effective and realistic standards. If it is not possible or economically feasible to upgrade old buildings, we need to consider replacement.
The testing regime seems to prove that everything burns when subject to sufficient heat. We need sensible tests and guidance on best practice. This need is pressing. In so many ways this terrible, avoidable tragedy must and will change the way we provide housing in the UK.
Towers can be good places to live. I brought up my family on the 14th floor of a tower block and I am grateful to have had a spacious, well heated and convenient home. However, the mixed nature of these towers – with Right to Buy, leaseholders and tenants, and a variety of landlords – means that the integrity of the block may be undermined. If a leaseholder removes their fire doors, no one knows – until there is a fire.
“Towers need much more intensive management than individual homes.”
Towers need much more intensive management than individual homes. They are like towns with streets, shared spaces and facilities, and 24-hour living. With large towers come big responsibilities – and this is a challenge to modern and effective housing management.
Political leadership is always provisional. If local, regional or national government fails to respond adequately to a tragedy like this, then trust is soon withdrawn.
The spontaneous reaction of ordinary people to the disaster was awe-inspiring. Many people, including the tenants – often poor and dispossessed themselves, many of them fasting as part of Ramadan – moved heaven and earth to help their friends and neighbours, giving their time, money, food and clothing to help those burned out of house and home.
Those who have emergency planning teams; responsibility for housing, social services and the local environment; and significant resources really must do better.
Kate Davies, chief executive, Notting Hill Housing
