Written by Tanishka Vashee, edited by Harshi Vashee
Kingspan group plc is an Ireland based company that manufactures and distributes building materials in over 70 countries. Kingspan also plays a hand in the Grenfell tower Tragedy.
On the 14th of June 2017, a fire broke out in the Grenfell tower. 72 people lost their lives, several were injured and about 223 people managed to escape the building. This disaster is the worst structural fire that has broken out in the UK in recent years.
Investigation showed that the fire broke out because of malfunctioning in a refrigerator in a flat on the fourth floor but spread up the building so rapidly because of its cladding. The inquiry held, Kingspan’s supplied phenolic panels responsible for the rate and extent the fire spread to. The inquiry also established that the cladding “burned like a raging inferno” when exposed to fire.
Grenfell United, a community for the survivors and family members of those who lost their dear ones to the fire, wrote a letter to the Mercedes AMG F1 team’s Principal, Toto Wolff.
In their letter, they explained their grievances and how Kingspan ignored customer safety concerns over their cladding and manipulated fire tests to market their products.
They urged the silver arrows to cut ties with Kingspan. They believe Kingspan is an immoral company with no remorse for their actions.
Britain’s Secretary of State for housing and communities, Micheal Gove too tweeted his disappointment in the team for accepting a sponsorship from the company. He urged them to reconsider as the Grenfell inquiry is still ongoing and the community deserves better.
Mercedes released a statement claiming that their partnership with Kingspan has the central goal of sustainability. The company will continue supporting the ongoing inquiry of the Grenfell tower tragedy.
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