15 June 2017 — 38 Degrees

In the early hours of yesterday morning a catastrophic fire engulfed Grenfell Tower, a block of flats in London. 17 people have died and the death toll is expected to rise. [1] This shocking tragedy is made all the more heartbreaking because it was avoidable. [2]

The government were warned time and time again of the fire risks in blocks of flats like this. But these warnings were ignored. [3] Now, pressure is growing for the government to change the law to make buildings like Grenfell Tower safer when there’s a fire. It could make sure a tragedy like this never happens again.

William, will you sign the emergency petition to make sure we never see a tragedy like the fire in Grenfell Tower again? SIGN THE PETITION

There’ll be a government inquiry to investigate yesterday‘s tragedy. But the fire at Grenfell Tower isn’t the first of its kind. Experts have been warning that the government need to update old-fashioned fire regulations for years. After a tower block fire killed 6 people in 2009, the government failed to act on recommendations to make blocks safer. [4] Now, experts say there are thousands of other tower blocks like Grenfell at risk of fire. [5] 

Firefighters from across London and further afield worked throughout the night to control the fire. And hundreds of ordinary people donated money, food and clothes to help families who’d seen everything they own destroyed. [6] Yet again, in a time of national tragedy we saw the absolute best in people coming out to help others.

But we also have the power to make sure these tragedies are never repeated. Will you sign the petition now, before it’s delivered to the government in 48 hours? (It takes less than 60 seconds to sign.) SIGN THE PETITION

Whether you live in a mansion or a high rise council block, it’s the government’s job to make sure the law of the land keeps you safe from harm. This is 21st century Britain, and deadly fires like this belong in centuries past. Let’s make sure this never happens again.

Thank you for all you do,

Cathy, Gordon, Laura, Trish and the 38 Degrees team

P.S.: The aftermath of the fire at Grenfell Tower is still unfolding. Some people are mourning the deaths of their loved ones, while others are trying to rebuild their lives after losing everything. If you’d like to donate to help those families directly, here’s a guide to what you can do:
https://www.buzzfeed.com/laurasilver/heres-how-to-help-people-who-have-lost-their-homes-in-the?utm_term=.rrap6kGNb#.bsME2JK37

NOTES:
[1] The Guardian: London fire: Met confirms 17 dead with further fatalities expected – latest updates:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/live/2017/jun/14/grenfell-tower-major-fire-london-apartment-block-white-city-latimer-road
[2] The Guardian: ‘Disaster waiting to happen’: fire expert slams UK tower blocks:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/14/disaster-waiting-to-happen-fire-expert-slams-uk-tower-blocks
The Guardian: After Grenfell Tower, can we make our tower blocks safe?:
?https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2017/jun/14/grenfell-tower-fire-safety-tower-blocks
[3] The Independent: London fire: Theresa May’s government accused of ignoring warnings over fire safety in tower block:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/london-fire-grenfell-theresa-may-tories-accusations-fire-safety-warnings-ignored-tower-block-a7790501.html
The Telegraph: Fire safety expert had warned Government advisors ‘entirely avoidable’ deaths would occur at structures like Grenfell Tower:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/14/said-would-lead-large-number-deaths-fire-safety-expert-warned/
[4] The Guardian: Review of fire safety rules pledged by minister last year yet to be published:
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/jun/14/review-of-fire-safety-rules-pledged-by-minister-last-year-yet-to-be-published
The Independent: Grenfell Tower: Tory minister declined to include sprinklers in fire safety rules as it could discourage house building:
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/grenfell-tower-fire-safety-rules-sprinklers-brandon-lewis-warn-house-building-social-housing-tory-a7790921.html
[5] London Evening Standard: Revealed: ‘Chimney’ Grenfell Tower cladding is used on blocks across London:
http://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/revealed-chimney-grenfell-tower-cladding-is-used-on-blocks-across-london-a3565786.html
The Telegraph: Grenfell Tower inferno a ‘disaster waiting to happen’ as concerns are raised for safety of other buildings:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2017/06/14/grenfell-tower-inferno-disaster-waiting-happen-concerns-raised
[6] The Sun: Londoners and celebs offer food, clothes and cash to Grenfell Tower survivors – as families bed down in emergency shelters after losing their home to the blaze:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/3795816/london-fire-survivors-social-club-grenfell-tower-residents-homeless-justgiving/
The Daily Mail: £1m raised as offers of help pour in after Grenfell Tower fire:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/wires/pa/article-4605406/More-500-000-raised-offers-help-pour-Grenfell-Tower-fire.html