London’s Grenfell Tower, which was engulfed in flames more than seven years ago in a disaster that killed 72 people, will be demolished, bereaved families and survivors said on Thursday.
The fire ripped through the 23-story social housing block in one of London’s wealthiest areas early on June 14, 2017 — Britain’s deadliest blaze in a residential building since World War Two.
Grenfell Next of Kin (GNK), which represents relatives of nearly half of those who died, said Britain’s deputy prime minister, Angela Rayner, announced her decision to families and survivors at a meeting on Wednesday evening.
The demolition of the tower, which is covered in protective wrap, will only start after the eighth anniversary of the tragedy in June this year, the group said.
“Do we wish the whole tower could stand forever? Yes. Is that an option? Not from a structural point of view,” GNK said.
Engineers advising the government said the tower’s structure would worsen over time, and that the building or part of it that was significantly damaged should be carefully taken down.
Grenfell United, which also represents those affected by the fire, said the voices of survivors and bereaved families were not heard or considered by Rayner during a short four-week consultation.
“Ignoring the voices of bereaved on the future of our loved ones’ grave site is disgraceful and unforgivable,” it said.
A public inquiry into the fire, which published its final report last year, blamed the disaster on failings by the government, construction industry and, most of all, the firms involved in fitting the exterior with flammable cladding.
Several survivors and families have said the inquiry had delayed any criminal proceedings.
Some feel the tower should remain until those responsible are held accountable.
The decision on the tower’s future came after some victims’ families raised concerns about a letter notifying them that a small quantity of human remains was still being stored by the police.
Lancaster West Residents’ Voices, representing those who live in the estate that the tower is part of, said on X: “Some sort of infrastructure from the building must stay… (as) a reminder to future generations.”
A spokesperson for the Department of Housing, communities and local government said Rayner’s priority was to meet with survivors, families and the immediate community to inform them of the decision made about the tower’s future.
“This is a deeply personal matter for all those affected, and the deputy prime minister is committed to keeping their voice at the heart of this,” the spokesperson added, without specifying what had been decided.
Joe Powell, member of parliament for Kensington, the area where the tower is located, effectively confirmed the decision on X, saying the decision to plan for the tower to come down was not taken lightly: “Grenfell Tower will always be in our hearts as a community.”
A commission looking at a future memorial at the tower’s site said in its 2023 report that any dismantling should be done “with care and respect”.
A final design for the memorial is expected by spring 2026, and construction could begin that year.
