Hello and welcome to the Grenfell Tower Inquiry podcast with me Kate Lamble.

This week there were a lot of witnesses but the inquiry focused on two fire safety measures,

the ventilation system and fire doors, both intended to stop the spread of smoke within the building.

A lawyer for the bereaved and survivors said the smoke ventilation system was another

example of incompetence and indifference. Another said one of the components meant to stop

smoke spreading around the building was of the lowest possible standard. And a manager

at the repairs company responsible for fixing fire doors left because

health and safety concerns, she said, were more talk than action. We'll start with the ventilation

system. Back in 2018, we heard many residents tell the inquiry about the thick black smoke,

which filled the towers' lobbies and staircases on the night of the fire.

As I opened my door, a gush of thick, swirling, acrid smoke came rushing into my flat.

I've smelled smoke before in barbecues and it never makes me gag, but this was an overpowering

smell. I was panicking that thick smoke is choking you. You can't breathe properly.

It made me go lightheaded and my knees buckled.

It was kind of like burning something into my eyes. I was coughing and I feel like to vomit.

When I realized there is a smoke, black smoke pouring into the flat. I just rushed to the door and close it.

Given that the ventilation system was designed to remove smoke from communal areas, you can see

why the inquiry is now going to hear a number of witnesses describe how the system installed during

the refurbishment was designed and tested. The inquiries expert witnesses didn't complete their reports on this issue until June this year.

So, due to a quirk of the timetable, the evidence began with opening statements on this topic.

As always, they help give us an insight into the arguments we'll be hearing over the coming weeks.

The smoke ventilation system is yet another story

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