The Fire Brigades Union has written to US counterparts to extend solidarity in light of the Bronx apartment fire.
The deadly fire, which took place on the 9th of January, claimed the lives of nineteen people, including children. It took place in a 19-storey apartment block.
In letters sent to Andrew Ansbro, President of the Uniformed Firefighters Association (Greater NY Local 94 of the International Association of Fire Fighters), and Edward A. Kelly, General President of the International Association of Fire Fighters, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union Matt Wrack wrote “I write on behalf of the Fire Brigades Union to express our solidarity following the tragic fire at the Bronx apartment block on Sunday”.
“The response of firefighters was heroic and they have been rightly praised by many people, including mayor Eric Adams.
“Media reports have highlighted the challenging situation facing firefighters, who continued to push through the smoke to seek to rescue those who were trapped. This once again highlights the risks firefighters take every day, putting their lives on the line to save others.
“Our members will pause and reflect on this horrific moment for New York, remembering those who lost their lives. For many, it will bring back awful memories of battling the Grenfell Tower apartment block fire in London in 2017.”
In the letters the FBU also offered to work together on building safety campaigning with the US counterparts. Early reports have pointed to similarities between the Bronx disaster and Grenfell, with failing door closers, lift problems, a lack of sprinklers, and an ignorance of resident voices in the years up to the incidents present for both fires.
Wrack wrote “The FBU continues to campaign for justice for the victims of Grenfell Tower and for a wholesale overhaul of the building safety regime in the UK, and we are always happy to coordinate… on this work”.
He also wrote “In order to prevent anything like this occurring again, may this disaster prompt politicians to assess fire safety measures in similar buildings”.
In the years since the Grenfell Tower fire the Fire Brigades Union has been working to hold those responsible to account, producing reports and participating in the Grenfell Tower Inquiry. The union has repeatedly pointed blame at the building safety system as a whole and government deregulatory agendas stretching back 40 years.
