The British government has estimated that 600 high-rise buildings across England may be covered in cladding similar to that used on Grenfell Tower, the 24-story apartment block that was gutted by a huge fire in west London last week.
As of Thursday morning, combustible cladding has been found on at least three tower blocks in the UK, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government.
British Prime Minister Theresa May said Thursday that at least 100 buildings a day are being tested, with residents being informed of the findings.
“In terms of how many buildings and how many homes have this type of cladding, the estimate provided to us by councils is that there are approximately 600 high-rise buildings with similar cladding,” a Downing Street spokeswoman said.
“We are in touch with all the local authorities to encourage them to urgently send us the samples and then we will carry out the checks that we need to see where we are with that.”
“In blocks where the cladding is found to be combustible we will do a further test to make sure the building is safe and residents could be re-homed.”
The Prime Minister also told Parliament that a statement on the test results of the cladding samples taken from Grenfell Tower would be made in the next 48 hours.
Speculation has focused on the role that cladding apparently used in a recent refurbishment of the tower may have played in the fire, which appeared to spread quickly up the outside of the building.
May said that 151 homes were destroyed in the fire. She added that 164 properties have been found to re-house residents and are currently undergoing inspection.
At least 79 people are dead or missing and presumed dead following the blaze that tore through the 24-story high-rise, home to 125 families, in the early hours of June 14.
“I know many others living in tall residential buildings will have concerns about their safety after what happened at Grenfell,” May said.
“All social landlords have been instructed to carry out additional fire safety checks on tower blocks and ensure the appropriate safety and response measures are in place.”
“We’ve also taken steps to make private landlords aware and make our checking facilities available to them for free.”
May also stressed that anyone affected by the fire would be able to access the extra facilities, including medical and financial advice being laid on by the government, regardless of their immigration status.
A local community center has been set up to help offer residents advice on healthcare, finance as well as provide new passports and driving licenses.
“I would like to reassure people that we will not use this tragic incident as a reason to carry out immigration checks on those involved or on those providing information to identify victims or those assisting with the criminal investigation,” she added.
“We will make sure that all victims, irrespective of their immigration status, will be able to access the services they need, including healthcare and accommodation.”
Council chief resigns
Earlier Thursday, the chief executive of Kensington and Chelsea council, where Grenfell Tower is located, resigned from his post.
Nicholas Holgate said that he had been asked to step down from his role by Communities Secretary, Sajid Javid.
His resignation, which was welcomed by the Prime Minister, comes after accusations that the council failed to deal with the aftermath of the disaster.
On Wednesday, May apologized for the government’s failure to offer residents adequate support in the hours after the blaze.
“That was a failure of the state — local and national — to help people when they needed it most,” she said.
Her statement on Wednesday spelled out further how the residents will be helped. The measures include:
Each family to receive a down payment from emergency fund
Everyone to be rehoused within three weeks
An independent public inquiry to be chaired by a judge
All those with an interest, including the survivors and victims’ families, to be consulted and help with legal costs provided
May said it was clear that the local authority, the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, could not cope with the disaster and that steps would be taken to improve future efforts.
Luxury apartment complex
As efforts continue to find permanent housing for those made homeless by the fire, the government said Wednesday that 68 apartments in a luxury London housing complex in Kensington Row would be allocated to Grenfell Tower residents.
The acquisition of the flats, built as new social housing within the swish development, was a “significant step” toward meeting its promise of rehousing families from Grenfell Tower within the local area, it said in a news release.
Prices for apartments in the complex, located about 1½ miles south of Grenfell Tower in a highly desirable area, start at £1.6 million ($2 million) for private buyers, according to Britain’s Guardian newspaper. Photographs of show apartments for sale highlight their plush interiors and extensive views over London.
The homes acquired by the government will be a mix of one, two and three bedroom flats across two blocks, the news release said.
Extra construction staff have been taken on in a bid to get the social housing apartments ready as soon as possible, it added, with work due to be finished by the end of July.