Grenfell Tower: London Fire Brigade interviewed under caution by police over blaze response

The London Fire Brigade has given an interview under caution as part of the continuing Metropolitan Police Service investigation into the Grenfell Tower fire.

According to a statement released by the Brigade this morning, they were invited to give the interview as a corporate body, rather than as an individual in relation to the Health and Safety act.

Dany Cotton, London Fire Commissioner, said this morning that "it is entirely correct that we are part of the investigation."

“We have always been subject to the Metropolitan Police investigation and I want to ensure it is accurately and publicly known the Brigade has now, voluntarily, given an interview ‘under caution in relation to the Health and Safety at Work Act’", she said.

“As the fire and rescue service attending the Grenfell Tower fire it is entirely correct that we are part of the investigation. Hundreds of firefighters, officers and control officers have already provided voluntary police interviews and we will continue to do all we can to assist investigators.

“The bereaved, survivors and residents need answers and we must all understand what happened and why to prevent communities and emergency services from ever being placed in such impossible conditions ever again.

“This was the largest residential fire London Fire Brigade has attended in its history and we will also continue to ensure firefighters, officers and control officers and other Brigade staff are supported throughout this investigation and the on-going Public Inquiry.”

The interviews have focused on sections 2 and 3 of the Health and Safety at Work Act .

London Fire Brigade is subject to duties under the act, and section 2 is a general duty to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, the health and safety and welfare of all employees.

Section 3 is to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, non-employees are not exposed to health or safety risks by the conduct of London Fire Brigade.