This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-46540392

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 2 Version 3
Grenfell Tower: Fire services had no high-rise evacuation plans Grenfell Tower: Fire services had no high-rise evacuation plans
(about 1 hour later)
Britain's fire services had no plans for evacuating a high-rise building at the time of the Grenfell disaster, the Fire Brigades Union has said.Britain's fire services had no plans for evacuating a high-rise building at the time of the Grenfell disaster, the Fire Brigades Union has said.
It told the public inquiry into last year's fire that despite government recommendations most services had no strategy suitable for tall buildings. This is despite government guidelines which recommend contingency plans in case services need to abandon the standard "stay put" advice.
The need for evacuation plans has become central to the first phase of the public inquiry. The inquiry's chairman also confirmed its second phase was unlikely to start "before the end of next year".
A total of 72 people died in the west London fire in June 2017.A total of 72 people died in the west London fire in June 2017.
On the night of the fire, a policy of "stay put" was kept in place for around two hours after the blaze broke out.On the night of the fire, a policy of "stay put" was kept in place for around two hours after the blaze broke out.
Both firefighters on the ground and in control rooms told residents they should remain in their flats.Both firefighters on the ground and in control rooms told residents they should remain in their flats.
Government guidance published in 2014 says fire services should develop evacuation plans for when the standard "stay put" advice becomes "untenable".Government guidance published in 2014 says fire services should develop evacuation plans for when the standard "stay put" advice becomes "untenable".
The inquiry chairman will consider whether evacuating the building in North Kensington earlier could have saved lives. Chairman of the inquiry Sir Martin Moore-Bick will consider whether evacuating the building in North Kensington earlier could have saved lives.
Martin Seaward, the FBU's barrister, told the inquiry that developing practical drills for an evacuation plan would have been "a major undertaking achievable only at the national level".Martin Seaward, the FBU's barrister, told the inquiry that developing practical drills for an evacuation plan would have been "a major undertaking achievable only at the national level".
It would be "too daunting" even for a large fire service like London's, he said.It would be "too daunting" even for a large fire service like London's, he said.
Firefighters have previously given evidence that evacuations in such circumstances were not something they were trained to do.Firefighters have previously given evidence that evacuations in such circumstances were not something they were trained to do.
"The incident commander was placed in an impossible position without an evacuation procedure in place," Mr Seaward said."The incident commander was placed in an impossible position without an evacuation procedure in place," Mr Seaward said.
He added that he hoped the inquiry would next consider why evacuation plans hadn't been developed.He added that he hoped the inquiry would next consider why evacuation plans hadn't been developed.
Before the Grenfell fire there had been a series of well-known smaller fires which spread rapidly, Mr Seaward told the inquiry. But he said procedures and training were not drawn up as a result.Before the Grenfell fire there had been a series of well-known smaller fires which spread rapidly, Mr Seaward told the inquiry. But he said procedures and training were not drawn up as a result.
On Monday, a lawyer for the victims told the inquiry that London Fire Brigade's leaders had let down residents and firefighters.On Monday, a lawyer for the victims told the inquiry that London Fire Brigade's leaders had let down residents and firefighters.
The first phase of the inquiry's hearings - which ended on Wednesday - concentrated solely on the events of the night of 14 June 2017.The first phase of the inquiry's hearings - which ended on Wednesday - concentrated solely on the events of the night of 14 June 2017.
Inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick said the second phase, which will examine the refurbishment of the tower and concerns expressed by residents about fire safety, is unlikely to start for another year. The second phase will examine the refurbishment of the tower and concerns expressed by residents about fire safety.
Sir Martin said work had begun to digest 200,000 documents relating to the refurbishment, including the installation of cladding and insulation, which would "tell much of the story" of what went wrong. Sir Martin said that "if all goes well" the second half of the inquiry would take place closer to the tower in west London, after survivors and the bereaved struggled to get to the current central London venue.
He said work had begun to digest 200,000 documents relating to the refurbishment, including the installation of cladding and insulation, which would "tell much of the story" of what went wrong.