I AM pleased the Grenfell Tower Inquiry is under way. But while the focus has been placed on the tower’s cladding, it’s believed the tragedy was caused by a faulty fridge freezer and if the right checks had been implemented, the disaster could have been avoided.

Policy makers need to make sure improved standards are implemented to minimise the chance of something like this happening again.

More than 6,200 domestic fires were caused by an appliance or supply fault in 2015-16, according to UK Government statistics.

During that period, electrical fires caused 1,380 injuries and fatalities.

Some of these events could have been prevented if the right safety standards were in place. By landlords carrying out basic electrical tests, it is possible to help prevent these tragedies from happening.

Electrical appliances such as fridge freezers can be safety checked using a fast, easy and affordable process called portable appliance testing (PAT).

As PAT testing experts, we know it can protect lives and prevent the likes of another Grenfell Tower tragedy from occurring.

As well as focusing on the cladding of high-rise towers, I hope the outcome of the Inquiry leads to a renewed look at electrical testing obligations for landlords.

Andrew Upton, managing director, Seaward Group, Peterlee