Grenfell fire doors provided only 15 minutes resistance to flames, police reveal

Survivors of the fire described the latest revelation as “shocking”.

Residents of Grenfell Tower were advised to “stay put” in their flats when the fire broke out, as is common practice in high rises.

This advice is based on the assumption that the building will provide protection from smoke and flame for enough time for firefighters to combat the blaze.

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “We have previously described that our forensic examination at the scene would be followed by a phase of offsite testing, to be conducted by experts on our behalf.

“As part of this investigation experts tested a flat front door taken from Grenfell Tower.

“The door tested was designed to resist fire for up to 30 minutes, but during the test it was only found to resist the fire for approximately 15 minutes. A much shorter period than expected.

“The forensic examination and the testing phase is ongoing, and we are not unable to comment as to the potential impact or otherwise that any test result may have on the overall criminal investigation.

“We have shared our information with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government as the appropriate government department, so they are able to take any action required.”

Natasha Elcock from Grenfell United said: “It’s shocking – first the cladding and insulation, then the doors; who knows what else is putting people’s lives at risk. It’s time people’s lives are taken more seriously – and that includes everyone from every walk of life.

“People’s homes must be made absolutely safe for them and their children. The government should have improved regulations after previous fires. We can’t listen to any more excuses.

“Grenfell United will not stop campaigning until the lessons of Grenfell are learnt. Nothing can bring our loved ones back, but we must make sure a fire like this never happens again.”

Sajid Javid, housing secretary, is expected to give a statement on the latest revelations at 11.30.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea carried out a programme to fit self-closers on all fire doors in the aftermath of the Lakanal fire in 2009.

However, in 2015 a London Fire Brigade investigation into a blaze at Adair Tower, near Grenfell, led to an enforcement notice to install missing self-closers throughout the block and neighbouring Hazelwood Tower.

Grenfell Tower was risk-assessed before the fire, with communal areas and fire doors checked.