UMVA has learned that family members and survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire have gathered to mark the ninth anniversary of the tragic event, which claimed the lives of 72 people on June 14, 2017.
The fire, caused by an electrical fault on the fourth floor, spread rapidly due to the building's flammable outside cladding, and has been described as a preventable disaster that exposed decades of failure by governments and the building industry to address the dangers of such materials on high-rise buildings.
According to information obtained by UMVA, police have announced that up to 20 companies and 57 individuals may face criminal charges over the blaze, with decisions on potential charges to be made before next year's 10th anniversary.
Potential offences under consideration include corporate gross negligence manslaughter, fraud, health and safety breaches, and misconduct in public office, a development that has brought some solace to survivors, but also highlighted the prolonged wait for justice.
Grenfell survivor Edward Daffarn expressed his frustration, stating that the continued 'wait for justice is torturous,' and adding that 'justice delayed is justice denied.'
A church service and silent walk will take place on Sunday, with the reading of the names of the 72 dead, and speeches by campaigners, as the community comes together to remember the victims and demand accountability.
The public inquiry into the fire found that victims, their loved ones, and survivors were 'badly failed' through incompetence, dishonesty, and greed, with the inquiry's chairman condemning the 'deliberate and sustained' manipulation of fire safety testing and misrepresentation of test data.
Grenfell United, which represents many of the bereaved and survivors, has asked people to join Sunday's walk 'in solidarity to remember those we lost, and demand justice,' noting that it is 'the last anniversary with any part of Grenfell Tower remaining.'
The tower's demolition is expected to be completed within the next year, with a permanent memorial planned for the site, and the community continues to seek justice and accountability for the lives lost in the tragic fire.
An official spokesperson has expressed commitment to ensuring that what happened at Grenfell Tower 'is not forgotten, and never happens again,' as the community continues to heal and seek closure.
