Grenfell Tower before renovation in 2009
Grenfell Tower (Former name: Lancaster Tower) was a 24 storey tower block part of the Lancaster West Estate, a council housing complex in North Kensington, Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea. It is 67m tall and was approved in 1970 and completed in 1974 as part of the Lancaster West project.
Before the June fire, residents were worried of the fire safety in the tower as there was no 2nd staircase and the equipment was outdated. At approximately 00:54 on the 14th of June 2017, London Fire Brigade were called to a fire which was believed to have started on the 4th floor of the building, within minutes the entire building was engulfed in flames. Use of non-fire-retardant cladding by Rydon in a 2016 renovation is thought to have facilitated rapid spread of fire. Police have so far confirmed there have been 72 fatalities, involving a stillbirth.
The Grenfell Tower fire investigation is ongoing.