The announcement to dismantle Grenfell Tower has sparked outrage among some of the families who lost loved ones and those who survived the devastating fire that claimed 72 lives in 2017.
During a meeting on Wednesday, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner stated that the west London high-rise would be demolished down to the foundation. However, a representative from Grenfell United, which advocates for bereaved families and survivors, mentioned that no attendees at the meeting endorsed the decision, deeming the disregard for their input as “disgraceful and unforgivable.”
Discussions regarding the future of the 24-storey tower have persisted for years, with some individuals wishing for it to stand as a permanent commemoration of the tragedy, while others prefer it to be replaced with a new memorial. A number of local residents have urged for its complete removal.
One former occupant of Grenfell suggested that the structurally unsafe parts of the tower should be demolished but preserved as a memorial, expressing the sentiment that “if it is out of sight, it will certainly be out of mind.”
A formal statement from the government on this issue is anticipated to be released on Friday.
Grenfell United’s spokesperson indicated that Rayner did not clarify how many bereaved individuals and survivors had been consulted during the “recent, brief four-week consultation.”
“Today’s meeting highlighted the profound distress among the bereaved and survivors regarding their opinions being overlooked in this decision,” they stated. “Disregarding the voices of those mourning our loved ones’ final resting place is both disgraceful and unforgivable.”
Kimia Zabihyan, representing Grenfell Next of Kin, which also advocates for some bereaved families, shared her experience attending the meeting with Rayner. She characterized the atmosphere as “charged,” noting that Rayner seemed to have arrived with “the best of intentions.”
“She was very transparent about the gravity of this decision, acknowledging that it is a serious responsibility and a sensitive issue that she felt compelled to address,” Ms. Zabihyan reported, adding that Rayner’s choice was based on expert recommendations from engineers.
The government has been warned about potential safety issues concerning the structure owing to extensive fire damage. A 2020 report suggested that various parts of the tower require reinforcement due to weather-related deterioration, which has led to instability brought on by seasonal temperature changes.
Engineers recommended the tower’s demolition – in 2019, the government was advised to take down the structure above the 10th floor.
A representative for the prime minister stated that Rayner has been engaging with the Grenfell community since her appointment last July, taking into account expert assessments regarding health and safety.
Ms. Zabihyan expressed her understanding of the government’s reasoning behind the decision, but highlighted widespread dissatisfaction among the community. She recounted an emotional moment at the meeting where an attendee conveyed to Rayner, “No one cares about this more than I do, as I only had fragments of my mother’s remains to bury, making that building very significant to me. That is where her soul resides, where her ashes are – it’s in that building.”
After the meeting, a government spokesperson emphasized, “This is an extremely personal issue for all those impacted, and the deputy prime minister is dedicated to prioritizing their voices.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer remarked that a decision concerning the tower’s future “needs to be reached,” but underscored the importance of keeping the victims of this tragedy in mind during the process.
The chair of a local residents’ association communicated to Radio 4’s The World Tonight that both he and the “overwhelming majority” of local residents supported the removal of the tower.
Mushtaq Lasharie, a local resident and chairman of the Lancaster West Estate Residents Association, shared with Radio 4, “We have been seeking closure for over seven-and-a-half years, and I hope this decision will provide that. In a survey conducted a few years back, the vast majority wanted the tower taken down due to safety concerns and the constant reminder it serves.”
Emma O’Connor, who escaped the fire from the 20th floor, expressed to Radio 4’s Today program that the structure should be removed from the top down to the 10th floor, where it is deemed most unstable, and suggested transforming it into a memorial.
“We recognize the unsafe conditions, but if it is removed from visibility, those responsible for the tragic deaths might forget their accountability,” she asserted. Ms. O’Connor attended the meeting with Rayner and noted that survivors and relatives received a statement of decision without satisfactory answers on how that decision was derived.
Emma Dent Coad, who was the Labour MP for Kensington during the Grenfell fire and currently serves as an independent councillor on the Kensington and Chelsea Council, expressed that many bereaved individuals were “absolutely devastated” by the decision.
While acknowledging community concerns regarding public health, she pointed out that numerous bereaved families want the tower to remain, as “a large number viewed it as a sacred site.”
Current MP for the area, Joe Powell, spoke on Radio 4’s World at One, recognizing that the choice to demolish the tower was “always going to be an incredibly painful moment.” He added that “many promises made after the fire have not been fulfilled,” expressing concern that the removal of the tower might lessen pressure on critical issues.
However, he remarked, “We cannot allow the determination of the tower’s fate to impede progress that has already been painfully slow.”
Kate Lamble, a journalist who produces The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Podcast and Grenfell: Building a Disaster, commented to Radio 4’s Today program, indicating that while some individuals view the tower as the final resting place of their loved ones and advocate for its preservation, others see it as a daily reminder of a traumatic incident and welcome its potential removal.
The fire on June 14, 2017, began due to a malfunctioning refrigerator in a fourth-floor flat but rapidly spread due to highly flammable cladding that covered the building. A public inquiry concluded in September that the disaster resulted from numerous failures within the government and the construction industry.
The west London tower was wrapped in combustible cladding, attributed to the “systematic dishonesty” of the firms that manufactured and sold it, as stated by inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick.
Many families affected by the tragedy have called for criminal charges against some of those implicated in the inquiry; however, law enforcement and prosecutors have indicated that no verdict on potential charges will be made until the end of 2026.
In a 2023 report, the Grenfell Tower Memorial Commission outlined recommendations for creating a “sacred space,” envisioned to be a tranquil area for reflection and remembrance. The proposal included plans for a garden, monument, and designated areas for private grieving by families who lost loved ones.
