Story perspectives

Court Names 168 Victims as Executives Charged in Fatal Fire

6/10/2026

Summary

Story summary

The court publicly read the names of all 168 victims, giving families acknowledgment.
Seven executives from Will Power Architects, Prestige Construction & Engineering, and Will Power’s inspector were charged with manslaughter.
Police said the renovation used non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting and foam boards that sped the blaze and blocked exits.
Authorities allege the firms concealed prior litigation, inflated tender scores to win a $38 million contract, defrauding owners and the government.

History

Historical Context

On 14 June 2017 a fire ripped through Grenfell Tower in North Kensington, killing 72 people after combustible aluminium-composite cladding spread the blaze. The disaster revived concerns from earlier cladding fires such as the 1973 Summerland tragedy and prompted a government-ordered review led by Dame Judith Hackitt, which found 228 high-rise blocks using similarly dangerous panels.

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Story summary

The court publicly read the names of all 168 victims, giving families acknowledgment.
Seven executives from Will Power Architects, Prestige Construction & Engineering, and Will Power’s inspector were charged with manslaughter.
Police said the renovation used non-fire-retardant scaffolding netting and foam boards that sped the blaze and blocked exits.
Authorities allege the firms concealed prior litigation, inflated tender scores to win a $38 million contract, defrauding owners and the government.

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