BBC 5 live investigates Grenfell Tower

Fire safety experts have told 5 Live Investigates that many of the 1,700 buildings in England are 'likely to fail' a new round of tests into cladding and building materials.

2 December 2021

AS SEEN ON BBC SOUNDS

Fire safety experts have told 5 Live Investigates that many of the 1,700 buildings in England are ‘likely to fail’ a new round of tests into cladding and building materials.

Hospitals, schools, nursing homes and tower blocks are among buildings which could be “at risk”, BBC 5 Live Investigates has learned.

The government said it will monitor the test results this summer to decide if any immediate action needs to be taken. Two years after the Grenfell Tower fire, 5 Live Investigates has also learned that some people living in flats which were declared safe in the aftermath of the tragedy, have now discovered the buildings they live in DO pose a fire risk.

The fire at Grenfell spread over the building in a matter of minutes; largely because of the combustible cladding the tower block was covered with. This type of cladding has now been banned. Government fire safety tests on other types of cladding have just started.