Grenfell firefighters develop rare cancers after tragic blaze

As many as 12 firefighters who fought to save lives during the Grenfell tower disaster in 2017 have been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The firefighters, said to be in their 40s, have found they have rare and untreatable cases of stomach cancer and leukaemia, according to an investigation by the Mirror. 

Labour councillors from the area say they ‘begged’ central government to carry out mass screening of anyone who may have been exposed to toxic gases during the tragic blaze - but that their pleas fell on deaf ears. 

Heartbroken to hear that multiple firefighters who saved lives at Grenfell have been diagnosed with cancer.

I will never forget the disgusting way they were scapegoated for government failings.

Our demands for the safety of residents & workers — for justice — continue to grow.

— Jeremy Corbyn (@jeremycorbyn) January 13, 2023

"These findings further support our new research with the University of Lancaster: firefighters, like those at Grenfell, are suffering from cancer due to exposure to toxic contaminants," said the Fire Brigades Union. 

A full list of all fire brigade personnel who have developed cancer since Grenfell tower burnt is being put together by experts.  

In the early days after the #Grenfell Tower fire we BEGGED govt to carry out mass screening of local ppl for effects of toxic gases and particulates.

They gaslit us, refused 'no such thing as Grenfell cough' when GPs said otherwise.

Now this 👇👇👇https://t.co/s6tLd4ux4X

— Emma Dent Coad (@emmadentcoad) January 13, 2023

On June 14, 2017, the UK woke to the news of its deadliest fire in a residential building since World War Two, a 23-storey inferno that has been blamed on lax fire safety regulations and profiteering cladding companies. 

72 people died and another 74 were injured.

A public enquiry into the causes of the blaze was concluded in November 2022 - but campaigners say there is still no justice for the victims.