Grenfell Tower insulation which burned out of control giving off toxic fumes had NEVER passed the required safety test, claims BBC Panorama investigation

  • Panorama alleges the insulation used was more flammable than a tested version
  • The manufacturer said it could not comment during an investigation and inquiry 
  • It comes after tearful evidence on the first day of a Grenfell public inquiry today 

The insulation that burned out of control on Grenfell Tower had never passed the required safety test, a BBC programme has claimed.

It is alleged by Panorama that the product used on the West London tower was a more flammable version of the fire retardant which had previously passed safety tests. 

It comes after a survivor described how he held the body of his stillborn son, who died as the family escaped the blaze, on the first day of an inquiry into the tragedy in June last year. 

Manufacturer Celotex said it could not comment because it was co-operating with a police investigation and the public inquiry. 

The insulation that burned out of control on Grenfell Tower had never passed the required safety test, a BBC programme has claimed

The insulation that burned out of control on Grenfell Tower had never passed the required safety test, a BBC programme has claimed

In one clip Robert Bond (pictured), the chief executive of Rydon, was confronted over his firm's link to the Grenfell disaster by a Panorama reporter 

In one clip Robert Bond (pictured), the chief executive of Rydon, was confronted over his firm's link to the Grenfell disaster by a Panorama reporter 

A Celotex statement said: 'We fully recognise the seriousness of the Grenfell fire. 

'It is for this reason that we believe the public inquiry and the police investigation are the right processes to consider the events leading up to the fire, and the night of the fire itself.

'We do not think it is appropriate to comment any further outside of or in advance of that process.' 

Celotex's RS5000 cladding product is no longer on sale. The company has previously acknowledged that there were 'differences between the system which had been tested and the description of that system'.  

It was claimed by Panorama that the company had advertised it as suitable for use with other cladding and had been warned about misleading marketing.  

The programme also alleged that the cladding panels and insulation used at Grenfell were never tested together before the fire. Celotex allegedly offered their insulation specifically for Grenfell's refurbishment in 2014. 

The manufacturers of both products allegedly knew that they would be used together at Grenfell but did not warn of any dangers.

Robert Bond, chief executive of the main contractor Rydon, told the programme that testing of the cladding system wasn't required because 'it was deemed to comply'.

The East Sussex-based firm worked on the £8.6million regeneration project, which saw new cladding and windows installed at Grenfell.  

He said the company had put up the cladding that was specified by Kensington and Chelsea Council but had not done testing itself.  

When it was suggested it was his job to make Grenfell Tower safe, he said: 'We did because we put the cladding that was specified up by Kensington and Chelsea council.

'It was approved by building control, it was approved by the local authority, it was approved by the architect.' 

Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said Panorama's allegations should be investigated.

'If there are breaches of the law then those people need to be held to account,' he said.  

One Grenfell resident, Luca Branislav, revealed that he had been forced out of a new flat after yet another fire had started in the neighbouring building. 

He was shown the few possessions which had survived the Grenfell fire, including parts of watches.

Describing the second fire he said: 'It was 4 o'clock in the morning when I woke up in a room full of smoke.

'I wasn't sure if it was a dream or if it was reality but then I realised there was a blue light outside,' he said.

'I just really... I don't know. Very confusing, pretty much, to get through all that stuff again, but luckily I am out. 

Close-up pictures of the burnt cladding on the exterior of Grenfell Tower after the fire

Close-up pictures of the burnt cladding on the exterior of Grenfell Tower after the fire

One Grenfell resident, Luca, revealed that he had been forced out of a new flat after yet another fire had started in the neighbouring building

One Grenfell resident, Luca, revealed that he had been forced out of a new flat after yet another fire had started in the neighbouring building