The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) has welcomed publication of the final report of the public inquiry into the fire at Grenfell Tower on 14 June 2017.
The report concludes that the fire was “the culmination of decades of failure by central government and other bodies in positions of responsibility in the construction industry” in relation to the danger of incorporating combustible materials into the external walls of high-rise residential buildings.
Mark Elliott, President of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health, said:
“We welcome this report and the Government’s commitment to consider its recommendations carefully to ensure that such a tragedy can never occur again. Everyone with responsibility for building safety will need to reflect on the implications of the report.
The deaths that occurred in this tragedy were avoidable. The report shows that the people who lived in the tower were badly failed by the institutions which should have ensured their safety.
The report also illustrates the danger of the pursuit by government of a deregulatory agenda to the point where matters affecting the safety of life are disregarded.
Environmental health professionals work with partner services on a daily basis in order to reduce deaths from fire. As the recent fire in Dagenham illustrates, however, there is a great deal more to do.
Our members are committed to improving fire safety in residential accommodation. The need for well organised and properly funded housing regulation, inspection and enforcement is something that must not be ignored.”
