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Anger and grief remain as UK marks Grenfell fire

By JONATHAN POWELL | China Daily | Updated: 2018-06-15 09:01
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They have criticized the fire brigade's "stay put" policy for tower residents, which was only lifted after two hours.

The slow effort to rehouse people has added to the anger, with 43 of the 203 displaced households still living in hotels.

"People who were affected did not receive the services they needed with respect to their health and well-being," said Vassiliki Stavrou-Lorraine, who has lived opposite the tower for 34 years.

"Unfortunately, one year on we are still having this situation."

The council in Kensington and Chelsea, where Grenfell Tower is located, has been in the spotlight for its role in both the run-up to and aftermath of the fire.

Residents argue the wealthy borough neglected the less affluent northern section that is home to Grenfell and surrounding public housing.

They also accuse it of cost-cutting on the refurbishment and bungling its overall response.

A council spokesman said it had committed 235 million pounds ($315 million) to secure new homes for people to choose from.

Prime Minister Theresa May has also faced criticism, including over her government's hesitation to ban the cladding involved, after a report said that alone would not stop a repeat of the tragedy.

She apologized on Monday in a newspaper article for only meeting members of the emergency services and not residents when visiting the still-smouldering tower last June.

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