Grenfell Tower fire: Cladding used on block ‘was banned in US’

Reports suggest it would have cost £5,000 extra for contractors to apply a fire-resistant version of panelling to tower block

‘Cladding believed to have been used on Grenfell Tower is banned in the US, it has emerged, amid revelations that it would have cost just £5,000 extra for the contractors to apply a fire-resistant version of panelling to the building.
Speculation is growing about the construction of the tower after a blaze ripped through it “like a matchstick” in the early hours of Wednesday morning, killing at least 17 people died and injuring scores more.
It has now emerged that the aluminium panels thought to have been added to the outside of the block as part of a £10 million refurbishment completed in May 2016 are banned in the US on buildings taller than 40 feet for fire safety reasons.’
Read more: Grenfell Tower fire: Cladding used on block ‘was banned in US’