Cladding used on Grenfell Tower ‘linked to other fires’

12 people are known to have lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower fire, although the death toll is expected to rise with many more of its residents still missing.

Reports are linking the blaze to the exterior cladding that was added to the building as part of a 2015 renovation. Rydon, the company responsible for this renovation work, have said that the work carried out met all fire regulations and building control and safety standards. However, it is now being reported that the cladding installed on the tower has also been used on other buildings that have been hit by fire in different locations around the world. According to the BBC, high-rise buildings in France, Australia and the United Arab Emirates that used similar cladding were all hit by fire. A statement released by Harley Facades, the company responsible for the installation of the panels to the building, said that they were unaware of any link between the fire and the cladding. BBC Newsnight also report that the cladding used on the tower consisted of two aluminium sheets with a polythene core. Experts have told Newsnight that cladding with a mineral core is considered less flammable. Flames could still be seen inside the tower on Wednesday night as fire fighters searched the building for survivors.