LONDON — On Friday, the U.K. government unveiled intentions to dismantle the remnants of Grenfell Tower in London, nearly eight years after the tragic fire that occurred on June 14, 2017, which claimed the lives of 72 individuals and is noted as the deadliest fire in the U.K. since World War II.
While some family members of the victims have expressed disappointment with this decision, advocating for the structure to be preserved as a memorial to honor those who perished, the government argues that demolishing the tower will assist in the healing process for the local community. The towering, 24-story building has served as a persistent reminder of the tragedy in the North Kensington district.
In an official statement, the government confirmed, “Grenfell Tower will be carefully taken down to the ground.” This deconstruction process is expected to unfold over the span of approximately two years, with no actions planned before the upcoming eighth anniversary of the fire in June.
Despite the strong emotional sentiments from some people in the neighborhood regarding the building’s status, the government’s announcement indicated that further discussions on the matter might be limited. Authorities noted that the tower had suffered substantial damage and its stability was only maintained due to additional supports that had been installed.
“The condition of the building will continue to worsen over time,” the announcement explained. “Engineers have advised that preserving many of the floors as part of a lasting memorial is not feasible.”
Additionally, the principle of fairness among the families affected played a significant role in this decision. The statement pointed out, “Taking the engineering advice into account, the Deputy Prime Minister concluded that it would not be fair to retain specific floors of the building for some families while being unable to do so for others, knowing this would be distressing for many.”
The inquiry into the Grenfell disaster found that years of negligence by government bodies, regulatory agencies, and the construction industry turned the tower into a “death trap.” The investigation revealed that there was no single cause of the calamity; rather, it was a combination of unscrupulous companies, insufficient regulations, and careless government oversight that led to the building being fitted with flammable exterior cladding, allowing a minor kitchen fire to escalate swiftly and entrap numerous residents in their apartments.
