Acknowledgements

I would not have considered writing this book without the initial encouragement of Simon Szreter and Philip Carter and the History & Policy network. I am very grateful to both for early conversations about the proposal, which has inevitably evolved a great deal following the revelations of Sir Martin Moore-Bick’s public inquiry and the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdowns of 2020–1. Emma Gallon has been incredibly supportive as the book has taken form and patiently waited for me to submit the manuscript. Given that the content discussed here should be as widely and freely accessible as possible, I am thankful to the University of London Press for its full support in publishing this in open-access format and I will not be drawing any royalties from its publication. To the two readers who gave constructive feedback on the draft manuscript, thank you so much for your time in helping to shape the final manuscript.

A significant portion of the research and writing process was funded by an Arts and Humanities Research Council Standard Open Grant (AH/N00664X/1), ‘Forged by Fire: Burns Injury and Identity in Britain, c.1800–2000’. I am grateful to members of the burns team, Jonathan Reinarz, Rebecca Wynter and Aaron Andrews, for their friendship and intellectual encouragement throughout the evolution of the book. They read draft chapters and gave constructive advice on some of the more challenging aspects of the manuscript, often through virtual coffee breaks. This book contains much of their own emotional labour for which I will always be in their debt. Likewise, members of the project team’s steering committee provided help and assistance whenever asked. I also thank History colleagues and students at Leeds Beckett University for their encouragement during recent years, especially as I wrestled with emotionally challenging chapters.

Draft chapters and semi-structured thoughts were presented at several events: the Festival of Ideas, a History & Policy – Home Office seminar and the Bartlett School of Construction’s Grenfell Tower seminar series. I am grateful to the organisers of these events and attendees who offered feedback and encouragement. Thanks also to Paul Hampton, Peter Holland, Ronnie King, Chris Smith, Jim Smith, Dave Walton, Matt Wrack and many others in the Fire and Rescue Service, past and present, who have given encouragement along the way. Although there are too many archivists and librarians to name, all of whom have helped with facilitating access to their collections, I’d like to record my gratitude to the fabulous reading room staff at the British Library’s Boston Spa site for going above and beyond over the past few years. On a personal level, I am grateful to Sarah and Jarvis for keeping my feet firmly on the ground while working on the project; I could not have finished this book without their emotional support and patience.

I am also indebted to the many safety campaigners I have corresponded with over the years, including the late Sam Webb of Tower Blocks UK. Meeting with Caroline and Siân in 2019 inspired me to persevere with the book through several dark episodes. While this has been a challenging book to write, I trust that it explains the longer-term historical context behind the disaster at Grenfell Tower in 2017 and contributes to the ongoing campaign for justice, security and safety by the local community and others invested in improving standards nationally. Finally, this book is dedicated to all the people who lost their lives in the multiple fires covered in the following pages. Many of the deceased have been long forgotten, but they forever remain in our hearts. To their families and survivors, to the campaigners, activists, trade unionists and others who dedicate their lives to improving public safety, and to the millions of ordinary people currently living in unsafe homes, never give up hope, and never stop fighting for lasting change. Grenfell changed everything; Grenfell changed history.