Lambeth Town Hall in Brixton lit green to honour Grenfell Tower victims

Lambeth Council honoured victims of the Grenfell Tower fire last night (14 June), four years after the tragedy claimed the lives and homes of Londoners in nearby North Kensington.

Lambeth Town Hall in Brixton`joined forces with other civic buildings across London and lit up in green as a mark of respect for the 72 people who lost their lives in the tragedy.

The Grenfell Tower fire was the worst residential fire in the UK since the Second World War.

Initially caused by a malfunctioning fridge-freezer, the fire spread rapidly up the building's exterior because of its cladding, external insulation and the air gap between.

Though the fire broke out on the fourth floor at 00:54 on 14 June 2017, it burned the 24-storey Grenfell Tower for 60 hours before finally being extinguished.

Cllr Sonia Winifred, Lambeth Council's Cabinet member for Equalities and Culture, said: "Today we must remember those whose lives were lost or turned upside down, those who lost their homes and remain in temporary accommodation.

"It is now more important than ever for London as a whole to come together and ensure we never forget."

Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness, Cllr Maria Kay, said: "Since the tragic events at Grenfell Tower four years ago, Lambeth Council has been working diligently to ensure residents in tower blocks feel safe.

"We now have a dedicated central fire team to respond to residents' immediate concerns about their high rise properties. All relevant buildings have completed a Fire Risk Assessment and an audit into properties over ten storeys continues, looking at all elements of fire safety.

"Specialist teams are also reviewing safety of all tall buildings that have cladding and have worked with government to ensure the safety of any materials used.

"Lambeth Council works closely with the London Fire Brigade to make sure our properties are safe and meet the correct standards and high rise residents are routinely offered safely advice and battery powered smoke alarms.

"The council has also committed to implementing all applicable recommendations that emerge from the Grenfell fire investigation."

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