The London Grenfell Tower Fire Killed about 79 people .. It started in One Persons Kitchen
But in similar metal-backed ones there was no spread of the fire and they burned for about 20 minutes before self-extinguishing.
A resident of Grenfell Tower has described seeing the ‘small’ kitchen fire – that would later spread and destroy the entire building. Maryam Adam, a 41-year-old pregnant woman, lived next door to Flat 16 – where the blaze started in the early hours of the morning
Fire chiefs have long called for a ban on plastic fridge-freezer backs because they burst into flames so rapidly kitchens can be engulfed in seconds.
And it is suspected one of the dangerous devices sparked the Grenfell Tower inferno that killed 79 people and left scores of others injured and homeless.
It comes as police revealed the cladding and insulation on the high-rise block in North Kensington, West London, failed all safety tests.
And detectives said they were considering manslaughter charges and looking into every company involved in the original building and recent refurbishment.
The fridge-freezer involved was a Hotpoint FF175BP. Ministers launched an investigation into the appliance and could order a product recall.
The machines are packed with highly flammable insulation and shocking footage revealed how quickly the ones with combustible plastic backs can go up in flames.
London Fire Brigade watch manager Andy Vaughan-Davies said: “Once a spark ignites in the compressor which powers the freezer, it can be as little as 90 second before the whole kitchen is engulfed in flames.
“The foam used to insulate them is highly flammable and is the equivalent to having four gallons of petrol around your freezer. Once ignited it produces an intense heat three times that of a large bonfire. This is the cause of some of the worst home fires we have had.
“Once they catch fire, they burn extremely quickly producing thick smoke and intense heat
“This has been going on for several years, which is the frustrating part.”
Fridge-freezers are considered by fire experts to be the most dangerous electrical appliance in the home.
They are one of the few electrical items always left on and fires in them pose an even greater risk if they start when people are sleeping. They have been linked to one fire a week in the capital alone.
Since 2015, the London Fire Brigade has asked the Government to ensure the backs of fridge freezers are made of non-combustible or fire-retardant materials as standard.
Casualties are caused when cheap plastic-backed fridges catch fire in the UK in 20% of cases.
Spread the love & Comment on Social Media !