I was in London over the weekend, so went and had a look at this. It's cordoned off as a crime scene, so the ghouls, media and souvenir collectors can't get too close. But in a very understated British fashion, viewing points are provided where people can gather their thoughts, chat quietly and pay their respects. There's a visible police presence.
It's a sobering sight seen IRL, opposed to the media.
Some obs:
- the smell is awful, more than just "post bonfire". It permeates the entire area around Lancaster West - up to Portobello Road market, Notting Hill, Ladbroke Grove. You're reminded by the smell that there are bodies in that tower
- I get the sense that some of the wealthy occupants of the upmarket properties just a minute or two's walk away would complain about the smell (and the sight), but they'd probably get lynched
- Lancaster West estate itself is actually quite pleasant. It's been portrayed in the media as a 70s concrete hell, a dumping ground for immigrants, asylum seekers, benefit claimants, council house occupants, etc. But in comparison to some of the grim council estates in northern British cities, it's an oasis. It's leafy and quiet and surrounded by streets with lovely little terrace houses and a church (St Clement's). There's a new community centre and leisure centre with landscaped and paved grounds a minute's walk of the estate, bright and airy with a pleasant cafe with a direct view of the tower remains
- several of the lower-level properties in the three "arms" that radiate out from Grenfell Tower have balconies which are piled high with rubbish. It's a wonder there aren't more fires. Coupled with reports of communal escape areas at Grenfell being obstructed by dumped furniture, etc. I'd go as far as to say the residents aren't helping themselves and the TMO should be more proactive in not allowing this to happen
- one can see how easy it would have been for a single vehicle to block Grenfell Road and cause difficulties in access for the emergency services