Grenfell Tragedy: Victim's Brother Expresses Frustration with Delayed Justice
Seven years after the Grenfell Tower fire claimed 72 lives, victims' families await justice. Hisam Choucair, who lost six relatives, voices anger over prolonged inquiry and postponed criminal charges.
Hisam Choucair, who lost six family members in the Grenfell Tower fire, expresses deep frustration with the prolonged public inquiry and delayed criminal proceedings. The tragedy, which occurred on June 14, 2017, claimed 72 lives and remains the deadliest structural fire in the UK since World War II.
Seven years and 82 days after the incident, Choucair describes the inquiry as "an extra dagger," believing it has impeded the pursuit of justice. Criminal charges, if any, are not expected for at least another year, with potential trials extending into 2027 or beyond.
The fire, which burned for approximately 60 hours, claimed the lives of Choucair's mother Sirria (60), sister Nadia (33), brother-in-law Bassem (40), and nieces Mierna (13), Fatima (11), and Zainab (3). Their bodies were found huddled together in their 22nd-floor apartment.
"It was as if they were protecting the children in the corner of the living room. They formed a barrier."
Choucair criticizes the government's handling of the aftermath, particularly the influx of lawyers seeking clients among vulnerable survivors and bereaved families. He suggests this as a lesson for future tragedy responses.
The inquiry, which has reviewed over 300,000 documents and heard from more than 600 witnesses, has significantly impacted Choucair's mental health. He reports being unable to work or find purpose in life since the tragedy.
On the night of the fire, Choucair witnessed the horrific scene, describing the flames engulfing the tower "like a cactus was swallowing it." The rapid spread of the fire was later attributed to the aluminum composite material (ACM) cladding with polyethylene cores, installed during an £8.6 million refurbishment completed in 2016.
Choucair expresses anger towards central government for inadequate building regulations, local authorities, and corporations involved in the tower's refurbishment. The incident led to the inspection of over 4,000 similar tower blocks across the UK and significant changes in building regulations.
As the final inquiry report, expected to exceed 1,000 pages, is set to be released, Choucair and other victims' families continue to seek closure and justice for their devastating losses.
