Hotpoint FF175BP fridge freezer identified as the cause of the Grenfell Tower fire

The Grenfell Tower fire started in a Hotpoint fridge freezer and the external cladding failed initial safety tests, the Metropolitan Police has announced in a statement today.

It also stated preliminary tests showed the insulation samples collected from the tower block combusted soon after the examination started.

Detective superintendent Fiona McCormack, who is overseeing the investigation into the fire, said: “We now have expert evidence that the fire was not started deliberately – the fire started in a fridge freezer – the make and model is a Hotpoint FF175BP.”

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The Government has ordered an immediate examination of the fridge freezer, by technical experts, to establish the cause of the fire, which has seen 79 people dead or missing and presumed dead.

The product, which was manufactured between March 2006 and July 2009, before being discontinued, had not been subject to any product recalls and the testing will establish whether any further action is required.

At this stage, the Government has reported there is no specific reason for consumers to switch off their fridge freezer pending further investigation.

Parent company of the Hotpoint brand, Whirlpool Corporation stated a total of 64,000 units were manufactured by Indesit under the Hotpoint brand, prior to its acquistion by Whirlpool. It added the number of appliances in use today will be lower due to normal product obsolescence, given the time period involved.

Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Greg Clark said: “The safety of consumers is paramount. The device is being subject to immediate and rigorous testing to establish the cause of the fire. I have made it clear to the company that I will expect them to replace any item without delay if it is established that there is a risk in using them.”

Customers are advised to follow standard safety advice, not overload plugs, ensure sockets are not damaged and check cables and leads are in good condition.

Customers who believe they may own a Hotpoint fridge freezer model FF175BP (white) or FF175BG (grey) should call parent company’s Whirlpool Corporation’s Freephone number 0800 316 3826 or visit the Hotpoint website to register their details for further updates.

A statement by the Whirlpool Corporation read: “Words cannot express our sorrow at this terrible tregedy. We offer our most profound condolences to the victims, those who have lost loved-ones, homes and possessions, and to their friends and families. Our thoughts and prayers are with all those involved, including the emergency services who risked thier lives to extinguish the blaze and rescue those in the building

“We are working with the authorities to obtain access to the appliance so that we can assist with the ongoing investigations. Under these circumstances, we are unable to speculate on further details at this time. We are addressing this as a matter of utmost urgency and assisting the authorities in any way we can. We will provide additional updates as our investigations progress.”

The Metropolitan Police has stated it will investigate any criminal offence and given the number of deaths is considering manslaughter, as well as criminal offences and breaches of legislation and regulations.