Grenfell Tower Fire
Landlords chasing profit at the expense of tenant safety — as they often do — can be deadly. On June 14th a fire obliterated Grenfell Tower, a 24-story block of public housing in London. Two weeks later at least 80 are dead, with casualties still being counted.
Grenfell Tower after the tragic fire. Photo: ChiralJon
In the aftermath, journalists discovered that tenants protesting the building’s poor management and unsafe conditions had been ignored for years. Though tenants complained about power surges and the state of fire escapes, a recent £10 million regeneration effort only “improved” the exterior by adding highly flammable cladding.
This may have caused the fire to spread quickly between floors. Planning documents show that this had less to do with resident needs than desire to beautify Grenfell so that the luxury real estate values and “living conditions of those living near the development”were “suitably protected.”
In Britain, Parliament has repeatedly voted down housing safety bills designed to prevent tragedies like Grenfell. 39% of Britain’s conservative leaders are landlords. Here we see how state and private interests intertwine at the expense of tenants.
The Autonomous Tenants Union is deeply saddened by the news of Grenfell Tower Tenants, we extend our solidarity to the tenants’ families and loved ones. With landlords and leaders whose interests are at odds with our own, we must organize and build power together!
