Fridge fire started Grenfell blaze as police confirm cladding failed safety tests

The Grenfell Tower blaze which has left at least 79 people dead was the result of a fridge fire, Metropolitan Police confirmed on Friday.

The Met also confirmed that the cladding used in the construction of the London tower block failed fire safety tests

Police are currently weighing up whether to bring manslaughter charges in response to the tragedy.

Fiona McCormack, the detective superintendent in charge of the investigation, confirmed that the cause of the fire was a faulty Hotpoint fridge-freezer.

From initial ‘small-scale’ tests, McCormack said both tiles and insulation used on the building did not meet expected standards.

Police are currently weighing up whether to bring manslaughter charges

"All I can say at the moment is they (tiles and insulation) don't pass any safety tests.

"What we are being told at the moment by the Building Research Establishment is that the cladding and insulation failed all safety tests."

The official death toll from the blaze currently stands at nine, but police have estimated the number of missing and presumed dead at 79.

McCormack added that every company that was involved with the construction of the apartment block was being reviewed.

"We are looking at every criminal offence from manslaughter onwards, we are looking at every health and safety and fire safety offences and we are reviewing every company at the moment involved in the building and refurbishment of Grenfell Tower,” she said.