The manufacturer of the fridge-freezer linked to the Grenfell Tower fire is facing allegations in a lawsuit filed by the local council, claiming that it did not conduct sufficient safety assessments on that specific appliance model.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has initiated legal action against Beko Europe, the producer of the Hotpoint brand, which is now owned by Whirlpool. This lawsuit is part of broader legal proceedings against multiple companies deemed responsible for the fire that occurred eight years ago, resulting in the deaths of over 70 individuals .
The RBKC, collaborating with the borough’s Tenant Management Organisation, is facing scrutiny for its management during the fire and the ensuing response, as highlighted during a public inquiry into the incident .
The local authority has launched a high court lawsuit against several firms, seeking more than £358 million, targeting those involved in the building’s renovation and cladding, along with the manufacturer of the Hotpoint fridge-freezer identified as the fire’s origin in the public inquiry.
According to a legal document, the borough asserted that the appliance included components that could easily “catch fire and burn,” as reported by the Financial Times, which first revealed the council’s claims against the appliance manufacturer.
Attorneys representing the complainants assert that the company failed to adequately assess the materials utilized in the model against relevant fire safety standards.
The lawyers contend that had the materials—particularly the plastic backing, foam, and polystyrene—been tested, they would not have met the requirements of the Electrical Equipment (Safety) Regulations 1994.
The legal statement emphasizes, “It should have been apparent to any reasonably competent designer, manufacturer, and/or supplier of the fridge-freezer that the plastic backing was not fire retardant and/or did not prevent fire spread.”
As of now, defense documents have yet to be submitted to the court, though Whirlpool has stated that it is “vigorously defending” against the lawsuit.
“Whirlpool Corporation disputes and is actively contesting the actions initiated by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea,” the company declared. “It would be inappropriate to provide further comments on ongoing litigation.”
Whirlpool, listed in New York and partnered with Turkey’s Arçelik, completed a merger last year to consolidate their European appliance enterprises under Beko Europe.
During the public inquiry, Whirlpool suggested that the fire might have been ignited by a lit cigarette rather than due to an electrical issue.
However, this claim was labeled as “fantastical” by inquiry chair Sir Martin Moore-Bick, who expressed no doubt that the fire originated from the large fridge-freezer.
While RBKC pursues multiple legal avenues in the high court, it has also faced stern criticism during the inquiry.
Quentin Marshall, chair of the borough’s housing scrutiny committee overseeing Grenfell Tower, disclosed to the inquiry that the council had “lacked some humanity” in its interactions with residents prior to the tragic events of 2017.
His remarks came after it was revealed that he had dismissed residents’ concerns about the refurbishment as “grossly exaggerated.”
The council has claimed to have implemented significant changes to its operations since the incident in 2017.
A council spokesperson stated: “We have initiated legal actions against several companies, in line with the council’s ongoing commitment to ensure those responsible contribute to the costs incurred by the public sector.”
