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A devastating fire that killed at least 79 people in a London apartment block started in a refrigerator.
Grenfell Tower went up in flames after a fire started in a Whirlpool Corp. fridge, which then spread at “unexpected speed” through the tower block’s exterior cladding, according to reports by Bloomberg.
Police announced they will pursue charges if criminal offences are identified. Detective Superintendent Fiona McCormack told reporters: “We are looking at every criminal offense from manslaughter onwards [including] health and safety and fire safety offenses, and we are looking at every company involved in the refurbishment of the building.”
The fridge model at the centre of the blaze was a Hotpoint FF175BP. Technical experts are now carrying out an extensive examination of the device to determine whether any further action is needed, such as a product recall. The Department for Business announced “there is no specific reason for consumers to switch off their fridge freezer” at this time.
Whirlpool said 64,000 Hotpoint FF175BP fridges were produced by Indesit between 2006 and 2009, when the model was discontinued. This was several years before Whirlpool acquired the company.
“We are working with the authorities to obtain access to the appliance so that we can assist with the ongoing investigations,” the company said in a statement. “We are addressing this as a matter of utmost urgency and assisting the authorities in any way we can.”
Inspections are also being carried out on 600 similar apartment blocks in England, which have cladding. So far, 11 blocks have failed initial safety tests.
Police investigations have included the seizure of “relevant material from a number of organizations,” DS McCormack told reporters, without revealing which companies or authorities are involved. The media is focusing on the unit of the Rydon Group that refurbished Grenfell Tower in 2016.
The company issued a statement last week saying its work “met all required building regulations - as well as fire regulation and health and safety standards.”
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