The Grenfell Tower Fire: A Multifaceted Disaster Revealing the Consequences of Neoliberalism

The tragic Grenfell Tower fire of 2017 is often seen as a single event with a single cause. As an SEO, I present a more comprehensive perspective: the disaster was the result of a systemic failure, deeply rooted in neoliberalism, and involving negligence at multiple levels of the chain of responsibility.

Neoliberalism: A Root Cause

Neoliberal policies, championed by figures like Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, emphasized deregulation, privatization, and a smaller state role. This dogma led to systemic changes that overlooked the critical role of local authority responsibility in building maintenance and fire safety. Here’s how:

Compulsory Competitive Tendering: Forced contractors to prioritize profitability, often leading to corners being cut in safety and quality control. Deskilling of Local Authorities: Middle and senior management in local building departments were deskilled, leading to a fragmented approach to fulfilling public duty. Subcontracting and Accountability: The practice of subcontracting responsibility down the chain, from local authorities to housing associations, created a cascade of neglect.

To illustrate, the former husband of a friend, a fireman on duty that night, tragically suffered severe mental health issues. His trauma was compounded by the systemic failures and restructured accountability, leading to a divorce for his safety. This underscores the personal impact of a public disaster with deep roots in ideology.

Anatomy of the Disaster

The Grenfell Tower fire was not solely the result of negligence at the cladding manufacturers, although such issues played a part. It was a multifaceted disaster with responsibility spread across various entities. Let’s break down the key players and their roles.

Construction of the Tower

When the Grenfell Tower was built, it met all building and fire regulations in force at the time. In conjunction with the London Fire Service, they decided on a stay-put policy, where firefighters focused on extinguishing the fire rather than evacuating residents en masse.

Changes in Ownership and Maintenance

The tower was later sold to a housing association under the local council, divesting the council of all responsibility for its maintenance. Over the years, piecemeal repairs were carried out, with no holistic view taken of how these changes might affect the building’s fire safety. Additionally, there’s the 5-year review policy that should be scrutinized when significant changes occur.

Renovation and Cladding

During a renovation, cladding was added to the tower to make it more visually appealing. However, the cladding did not meet the required standards in terms of fire retardancy. The exact cause of this discrepancy—whether intentional or accidental—remains under legal scrutiny.

The cladding was not fitted properly, creating gaps between the building and the cladding, which acted as a chimney for the fire to spread.

Despite this, the stay-put policy was still in place at the time of the fire. On the day of the incident, a refrigerator caught fire on the 4th floor. Despite the fire service’s best efforts to extinguish the blaze, the fire spread through the cladding and onto the building’s exterior, leading to the tragic loss of 78 residents and firefighters.

Responsibility and the Domino Effect

Identifying a single scapegoat is insufficient; the disaster unfolded due to a chain of failures. Each failure contributed to the final, catastrophic outcome, echoing the domino effect often depicted in online challenges and videos.

Local authorities, housing associations, contractors, and government policies all played a role in the tragedy. Now, in the wake of this disaster, it is crucial to hold people accountable and review current practices to prevent similar catastrophes in the future.

The disaster at the Grenfell Tower is a stark reminder that neoliberal policies can have severe and unforeseen consequences. It calls for a reevaluation of how we prioritize and enforce public safety, ensuring that no one is forced to bear the brunt of systemic failures.