What questions will the Grenfell inquiry try and answer?

The public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower disaster will leave “no stone unturned”, according to the Prime Minister.

Theresa May promised that lessons will be learned from the blaze on the day that she confirmed retired judge Sir Martin Moore-Bick will lead the process.

The scope of the disaster will be subject to considerable scrutiny as those touched by the tragedy fight to make their voices heard.

Here are the key questions that could be examined in the forthcoming inquiry.

What caused the fire to become so devastating?

The genesis of the deadly blaze will be the most crucial aspect of the inquiry and will be looked at in forensic detail. Witnesses reported seeing a small pocket of flames swell into an inferno which swept through the 24-storey building in less than an hour. This aspect of the inquiry will consider what started the fire, how it spread so quickly and why it was able to burn for more than a day.

Did the building’s recent refurbishment contribute to the fire?

A renovation of the tower saw new cladding and insulation fitted to its exterior and allegedly left gas pipes exposed in stairwells. It is suspected that the materials used in the outside panels were flammable and acted as kindling once the fire took hold. The role of the organisations involved in refurbishing Grenfell Tower is also set to be a topic of concern – Were they aware of the inadequate panels? Were building regulations violated?

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Why did so many people die?

As smoke clogged fire escapes and flames consumed the 129-flat block, Grenfell Tower became a pyre. Around 80 people are thought to have died that night, but many feel that death toll should not have been so high. Whether fire escapes, sprinklers, alarms or a string of other safety measures could have prevented a major tragedy will be a topic of interest for the inquiry.

Were warnings ignored?

Residents of the Lancaster West estate, over which Grenfell Tower looms, insist that repeated warnings to the authorities about fire safety were ignored. A blog called Grenfell Action Group chronicled an ongoing battle with the council and Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation during the refurbishment. Among concerns raised were that emergency vehicles could not gain access to Grenfell Tower, the fire escapes were inadequate and escape instructions were not provided.

Why was the official response to the fire flawed?

Anger was rife in the west London neighbourhood in the immediate aftermath of the fire, due to the alleged slow response of authorities. Prime Minister Theresa May said both local and national government were “not good enough” in these days, while survivors claimed it was volunteers who spearheaded the relief effort. Whether this failure could have been sidestepped will be a matter for the head of the inquiry, Sir Martin Moore-Bick.

Why was apparently dangerous cladding used on high-rise towers nationwide for decades?

An ongoing safety operation is in progress across the UK as dozens of towers are discovered encased in flammable material. How combustible material was allowed to become such a persistent trait of building design is a question many will want answering.

Top pic: Rex