Grenfell Tower Support Team Update 3

Air, water and waste materials update

Public Health England (PHE) has been providing specialist advice on health following the Grenfell Tower fire. This includes health advice on air quality, water quality and the handling of any waste materials and debris.

Air quality:
Latest readings show the air pollution level near the site of Grenfell Tower continues to be low. PHE ensured that three new air quality monitors were installed in the immediate area of Grenfell Tower by an independent environment company on Saturday 24 June.

PHE is carrying out air quality tests in the area and is continuing to monitor readings to ensure the best advice is given. PHE’s advice is that the wider risk to people’s health as a result of the fire, beyond those directly affected, is low.

Water quality:
Drinking water quality has not been impacted by the fire and tap water is safe to use as normal. Drinking water for the area around Grenfell Tower is supplied by Thames Water and the source of this water supply is not local to Kensington. Water run-off from the Grenfell Tower site would have entered the drainage and sewage system and would be processed as normal, so would not present a risk to physical health.

Waste materials and debris:
If you have waste material or debris from the fire at your property, please contact the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council on 020 7361 3001 to make arrangements for them to collect it. The majority of debris in surrounding areas consists of charred foam insulation and this material is unlikely to present a risk to people’s physical health. However as a precaution, residents are advised not to handle any burnt material. Dust on windowsills or outside areas of homes can be safely removed by damp dusting or wiping with a wet cloth.

More advice from Public Health England can be found on their website.

 

Recovery work continues

The task of recovering bodies from the site of the Grenfell Tower fire is one of unprecedented complexity and emotional distress for the local community, and will require months of painstaking work to recover the remains of the missing.

The team of experts responsible, involving members of the Metropolitan Police, fire service and New York-based experts, have met near the Kensington Leisure Centre today to continue planning this sensitive operation.

Full updates will be given on a regular basis to the families of those affected through key workers and local community organisations.

 

Sir Martin Moore-Bick appointed Chair of Grenfell Tower public inquiry

Sir Martin Moore-Bick was today named by Downing Street as chairman of the independent inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire.

A former Appeal Justice with more than 20 years’ experience as a judge, Sir Martin said his role was to “discover the truth” about the cause of the fire, adding “I am determined that there will be justice for all the victims of this terrible tragedy and for their families who have suffered so terribly.”

The inquiry will be held in public, and will consider evidence from all parties involved, including victims and their families. The Chair will work with complete independence from the Government.

Sir Martin added “I understand the desire of local people for justice; justice for them, and for all those involved in whatever way, will best be served by a vigorous inquiry that gets to the truth as quickly as possible.”

The veteran judge went to Kensington today to see Grenfell Tower for himself and to talk to local residents.

 

First funeral held today

The first funeral of a victim of the Grenfell fire was held today. Anthony Disson, aged 65, leaves behind four sons, and five grandchildren. Friends described him as a proud Fulham supporter and sports fan.

 

Arabic and Farsi newsletter

Translations of the Grenfell Fire Response Team Community Newsletter are being distributed in Arabic and Farsi to help those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire has the support and information they need.

The Community Newsletter is given out each day via the Assistance Centre at the Westway Sports Centre to residents and includes key updates on news and issues affecting residents.

See previous newsletters

 

Visa and passport support

If your passport, British Residence Permits, nationality, birth and marriage certificates or visas have been destroyed as a result of the Grenfell Tower Fire, then help is still available to you.

Advisors are available help you at the Westway Sports and Fitness Centre, Crowthorne Road, W10 6RP from 9am to 9pm.

You can also call the 24 hour advice line on 0300 222 0000 to arrange for a call back by a member of the visa and passport team.

 

Parking updates

Parking teams from all London boroughs have been informed about how to ensure that vehicles registered to addresses in Grenfell Tower are not issued with parking tickets, and to ensure that any parking tickets issued in error are stopped.

The DVLA is involved in the process of identifying vehicle owners in order to issue tickets, and they have also agreed to put measures in place to help boroughs.

 

Housing update

We are making sure that every family affected by the fire in need of housing receives a housing offer within three weeks, and support workers have been allocated to provide additional support. We will not force people to accept a home that isn’t right for them.

For further information, please call the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council Housing line on 020 7361 3008.

If you already have a key worker, but do not know how to contact them, please call 020 7745 6400 or email Grenfelltowerkeyworkerhub@rbkc.gov.uk

 

Support pack for key workers

Guidance is available online for key workers supporting affected families as a result of the Grenfell Tower Fire with key information on contacts and regular updates.

Information can be found here.

 

Assistance centre update

The Assistance Centre at Westway Sports Centre remains the place to go if you’ve been affected by the Grenfell Tower fire. The Centre is currently open between 9am and 11pm and offers support, benefits advice, travel advice and more. You can also able to pick up printed documents, get a new passport photo and collect your post.

You can find all services at the Westway Sports Centre, 1 Crowthorne Road, W10 6RP.

 

Community engagement

For regular Community engagement updates, please contact the dedicated email address. If you know anyone who might be interested in hearing updates, please let them know to email Communityengagement@grenfellresponse.org

 

Transport update

The free shuttle bus service operating between the Community Assistance Centre and the hotels temporarily rehousing large number of families is set to continue. The service, organised by Transport for London, has been in operation since the beginning of the week with timetables for these bus routes available here and at the hotels.

In other public transport news, the part-suspension between Wood Lane and Edgware Road, put in place following the Grenfell Tower incident, was lifted earlier this week by Transport for London, in consultation with the Office of Rail and Road and London Fire Brigade. Services are continuing to run as normal across the whole Circle and Hammersmith and City lines.

For anyone affected by the fire and in need of rail and air travel for humanitarian purposes, such as visiting family in hospital, there is assistance, but requests must come from a recognised organisation rather than individuals.

To make a request contact peter.lovegrove@raildeliverygroup.com for rail or nick.orwin@ltn.aero for air.

 

Work underway to replace boiler

Engineers are working around the clock to restore hot water to properties surrounding the Grenfell Tower, after the boiler underneath the tower was destroyed in the fire.

Hot water is expected to be restored by 5 July, which will allow people in surrounding roads to return to their homes. Those living in affected properties have been offered accommodation in local hotels.

 

Government urges everyone to come forward for help

The Home Office has said that it will not take immigration action against undocumented migrants affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

All victims of the tragedy are being encouraged to access the services they need, including accommodation and healthcare.

The Police and Fire Brigade is also asking for as much information as possible on the people in Grenfell Tower on the evening of 14 June, to help them identify victims.

 

Hoarding erected around Grenfell Tower site

This evening, hoarding will be erected around the Grenfell Tower site as the recovery process begins to take shape. The hoarding, similar to that used on construction sites, will be initially painted white. It will not be publically accessible although it will be visible in parts.

 

Further support 

There are a range of support services available in the Assistance Centre at Westway Sports Centre. Support available includes housing needs, emergency funds, health, and social care services.

For more practical or emotional support please call the Red Cross helpline on 0800 458 9472. The line is currently open 24 hours a day but we are looking at reviewing these hours. If you have any feedback, please email support@grenfellresponse.org.

 

Financial assistance update

As of 9am on 27 June, £1,686,012 has been distributed to families affected by the fire.

This is made up of a £500 cash payments and £5,000 delivered through DWP into bank accounts or similar in a single payment, along with discretionary payments made by the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

So far, 108 households have been given the £5,000 payments so far.

 

New charitable grants

Every family who lost someone in the Grenfell fire is to receive £20,000, those seriously injured will receive up to £10,000 and there will be a further £10,000 ‘fresh start’ grant to every family who has been made homeless.

The DCLG has also announced that it will release £1 million of funding to support organisations working with individuals and the communities most affected by the fire.

 

Frequently asked questions

 

Are people in emergency housing being put in tower blocks?
No. People are being temporarily housed in hotel accommodation in or close to the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea.Are people living in parks?
We are not aware of anybody living in parks and there is no need for people to be living in parks if that is the case we would urge people to come to the Westway Sports Centre so we can help with their housing needs.

Are people been forced out of the borough, or being made intentionally homeless?
This is simply not true. No one is being forced to move out of London, or being threatened with being made homeless. We’re working to find the right accommodation for those affected residents, either in Kensington and Chelsea or neighbouring boroughs.

Are people affected by the fire being asked for ID at the assessment centre?
People affected by the fire were issued letters informing them of the process to access funding and we have asked them to show this letter as some people may have had their IDs destroyed in the fire. This is to ensure those who need support get it. They should not be asked for their ID.

Concerns about cyanide released in the air from the fire?
Public Health England air quality tests over the past week following the Grenfell Tower fire shows no detectable deterioration in air quality. They have advised that smoke from any fire is toxic and can contain a range of chemicals such as carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, irritant gases such as hydrogen chloride.  The amounts of toxic products will vary with the materials involved in a fire, its temperature and the amount of oxygen. The latest PHE advice on the fire is available here.

What will happen to anyone who isn’t documented but lived in the tower?
Support will be provided to all those residents whose homes have been destroyed in the fire. We will not use this tragic incident as a reason to carry out immigration checks on those involved and those providing vital information to identify victims. We will also make sure that all victims, irrespective of their immigration status, will be able to access the services they need, including accommodation and healthcare.

Will victims have to pay for outstanding utility bills? 
The Government and utility companies have announced a package of support for Grenfell victims across energy, water and telecommunications. This includes suppliers agreeing to write off outstanding utility bills for victims of the fire, and the support comes on top of the £5 million fund to pay for emergency supplies, food, clothes and other costs. Further details can be found here.

How can people find their post?
Grenfell Tower’s post is being held at Royal Mail’s West London Delivery Centre, Unit 20-23, 7 Premier Park Road, London NW10 7NZ (Open from 8am – 2pm Mon to Sat). There will also be a collection location at Westway Sports Centre Car Park. No ID is required for collection. A free Royal Mail Redirection service is available to those affected for a period of one year. For more information on these services call 01752 387055.

Where should people call with information about missing people?
We are now in a transition from the casualty bureau to our incident room – if anyone needs to report a missing person or report information please use the new incident room number – 0800 032 4539.

Media enquiries: Grenfell Fire Response Team 24 hour media centre on
020 7641 3677/3678/3679 or email 
grenfellcomms@westminster.gov.uk. For all other contacts, please consult our leaflet.

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