LONDON, United Kingdom (Reuters) – British Police and Fire Minister Nick Hurd said on Thursday (June 15) the government would leave no stone unturned in public inquiry on Grenfell Tower fire in London, responding to questions from members of parliament during the debate about tragedy that left at least 17 people dead.
Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday promised a public inquiry into a fire that gutted a 24-floor apartment block, as the government faced questions about how such a devastating blaze could have occurred.
Opponents of May’s government demanded to know whether more could have been done to prevent the disaster and if spending cuts to local authorities had played a part.
“A lot of public out there are very unhappy and very uneasy today and tonight. They need answers, they need reassurance and above all they need the support to know that those who had suffered in this fire have got somewhere to go tonight,” Labour party leader Jeremy Corbyn said during the debate, which took place in Westminster Hall instead of House of Commons as Parliament is being suspended.
Corbyn, who visited the scene earlier on Thursday and met with community workers and volunteers, welcomed the decision to establish a public inquiry, but insisted the questions should be responded quickly since the public needs answers and reassurance.
An investigation into the cause of the blaze, the worst in the British capital in a generation, was underway. But the shock at its scale turned to anger and recriminations on Thursday.
Britain’s police commander says the search may take months and hopes the death toll will not in “triple figures.”
