40th anniversary of New Cross fire: Fire Brigades Union comment

On the 40th anniversary of a fire during a house party in New Cross, South East London, that killed 13 young black people, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has called the incident a ‘tragedy’ that takes on new relevance in the wake of Grenfell.

Tariq Ali, FBU Black and Ethnic Minority Members section Chair, said: ‘The New Cross fire was a tragedy that claimed the lives of 13 young black people and in its aftermath exposed the routine lack of equal treatment of black people by the authorities.

‘The disaster, which took place in an area where far right thugs were known to be active, sparked a wave of inspiring black activism which shone a light on the racism endemic across the police, the media and in government.

‘Firefighters will never forget that awful day and the events that followed. Forty years on, in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire, the memory of New Cross has taken on a new relevance. We must confront racism and injustice wherever we see it in society, in institutions, or on the streets.’

For more information, go to www.fbu.org.uk