Off Topic London Fire

I've been in London for 3 days and yesterday was in London Bridge and Borough Market area. I stood for a short while near some flowers and thought about the horrible events of last week. I don't know why but I woke this morning and instinctively knew that something had happened overnight. I looked at my phone and one of those 'top stories' flashes was on my screen detailing what had happened. I've driven around today and listened to some awful awful stories as has been the case for the last month - some great news would be welcome - and I thought about yesterday in Borough and then realised that, as disgusting and sick as it was, probably wasn't/ isn't as harrowing as the events of last night. I don't think anyone of us can imagine the terror that unfolded, not over minutes, but seemingly over hours for those lost, trapped and involved. I am purposely trying to avoid pictures, TV etc as it would be beyond disturbing. At a time when there is so much infighting, religiously, politically, what amazing people we have in all creeds in this country, coming together and trying in whatever way they could to help, give solace and love. RIP all those sadly lost.

 

Great post TC I totally agree with ya.

 

Listening to reports, the fire alarms have been reported as some as going off on the lower floors, but barely audible. More importantly what about smoke detectors... surely the smoke would have triggered these immediately..

 

Building Regulations don't require fire alarms linked between common areas and flats. It in fact discourages it. In apartment blocks there is no requirement for alarm to common areas at all. Smoke detection in these areas are for smoke ventilation only.

This is a fire nobody would anticipate. Flats have always been designed with a stay put policy as stated in the regulations. All to do with the cladding I suspect.

 

I was referring more to the individual properties, you burn toast in your kitchen and you know about it...

 

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this man has miraculously being pulled out alive and well
he was trapped in his apartment throughout all of the fire, remarkable

 

Nice flats as well.

 

I heard a report today that there was no sprinkler system and that they had been talking about installing one for the past 6 years, since a safety report recommended it be done. It will be a travesty if no-one goes to prison for this.

 

Would someone go to prison because they were a lazy arse and couldn't be bothered to do their job? Or because budget constraints which were out of their hands meant that certain things, there and elsewhere, haven't been done yet?

If it's the former absolutely but I can't see it.

 

The Coroner at this inquest gave some damning indictments. Many councils have followed the guide lines set out on the Coroners Report, others according to some 'experts' interviewed today have only in part. What was interesting was an interview (Five Live) with a Fire Regulations Officer called Chris Green who when asked where does the responsibility lie Central Government, Local Labour Council or the owners of the building, he said that in a similar instance (perhaps the one above I don't know) 19 different entities contributed to the situation that resulted in deaths. As we can't get political it pisses on the bonfire of a political party who have come straight out and blamed another directly.

 

these tower blocks from the 50s,60s,70s and 80s should have been demolished awhile ago imo

 

Spot on Qatar.

 

Someone else interviewed was asked specifically about sprinklers even in new builds. He said that there is no legislation to insist on them and today as tragic as it is, is a one in however many chance and therefore sprinklers are installed on a risk assessment basis against cost.

 

Well said Tiger.
I can only echo everything said by Tiger

 

Just heartbreaking news.
Nobody should die in their own homes