Grenfell Tower: Catastrophe warnings fell on deaf ears

Scores of residents of Grenfell Tower was subjected to electricity power surge as their domestic appliances either malfunctioned, overheated or emitted smoke several years before the disastrous fire, it has emerged. The documents show that 45 of the tower’s 129 flats were affected by a powerful electricity surge on 29 May 2013, despite this the council neglected to install surge protection. Eventually 25 of those residents claimed a derisory compensation of £200 each from the Conservative-controlled Kensington and Chelsea Council

At least 25 residents claimed compensation from the council following the surges in 2013 and many say electrical surge problems persisted even couple of months before the June 2017, fire.

The fire started in a Hotpoint fridge freezer on the fourth floor.

One fire consultant said the electricity spikes could have an major contributing factor which led to the fire sparking in the first place.

According to Cllr Judith Blakeman, the unexplained electrical surge problem was never satisfactorily solved saying “ One of the things the people saw not smoke but it was actually steam. One of the bio-mechanical engineering student who moved into a flat on the third floor of Grenfell Tower in August 2016, following the completion of the refurbishment works was absolutely concerned about the safety of the electricity in the tower, as his newly installed electrical meter often made a strange buzzing sound at night and had to be constantly topped with money, and once he went to the basement which revealed a huge mess in wiring.

Jamie Oliver offers Grenfell Tower fire victims free food and shelter at his Westfield restaurant.