Andrew Dismore

Today, The London Fire Brigade (LFB) published its progress report on the tragic Grenfell Tower incident.  Following its publication, the Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade appeared before the London Assembly to discuss the report’s findings.

Commenting on the release of the report, Chair of the London Assembly Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee, Andrew Dismore AM said:

“On the night of the Grenfell fire, firefighters responded with heroism to an incident beyond their experience and training.  Today’s report reveals a chain of failures in the design and maintenance of Grenfell Tower, which created an impossible situation.  The consequences for those who lived in the tower represent a tragedy London will never forget.

“With this report, LFB is showing the new training, equipment and policies it is already using to reflect what we now know about the hundreds of dangerous buildings in London.  But no fire brigade could cope with the wild west of building regulations that has been allowed to develop.

“Fire regulation also needs to be updated to ensure that all buildings have the correct fire safety measures to protect Londoners.  The government must play its part in supporting the London Fire Brigade and its partners with the resources it needs and stronger legislation to protect residents and the public by ensuring building owners fulfil their legal and moral duties.

“The Mayor, government, LFB and the rest of the fire safety industry need to work together to prevent anything like this from happening again.   The London Assembly Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee is committed to investigating this issue until all its questions have been answered.”

Notes for Editors:

1. The report can be accessed here.
2. Andrew Dismore AM, Chair of the Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee, is available for interview.
3. Find out more about the London Assembly Fire, Resilience and Emergency Planning Committee.
4. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.