IN a chilling and now infamous premonition, a blogger from the Grenfell Action Group warned that a “major catastrophe” was inevitable at the tower block, over a year ahead of the inferno which killed at least 80 people.

The small band of people behind the blog were even threatened with legal action by lawyers working for the local council. But this group sounded like they had an axe to grind and no-one outside the community there really listened to its dire – yet accurate – warnings.

On November 20, 2016, they wrote: “The Grenfell Action Group firmly believes that only a catastrophic event will expose the ineptitude and incompetence of our landlord, and bring an end to the dangerous living conditions and neglect of health and safety legislation they inflict upon their tenants and leaseholders.”

Nothing could have been closer to the truth.

The piece carries on to point out faulty wiring and power surges at Grenfell, cover ups, and at some points comparing the management to the state of North Korea. It was one of numerous warnings made on the blog, in posts of 1,000 words of more, in often hyperbolic language.

Only those living in and around Grenfell must have read this blog. And those who did read it may have stopped after a few paragraphs. It had a small, fixed audience.

Twenty, or perhaps even ten years ago, this action group might have printed a small number of leaflets to post into residents’ letterboxes. But most likely they would have contacted their local newspaper to spread their message and put pressure on those in authority to act.

The local reporters would also most likely have seen the leaflets and tracked down the action group to write a story.

But newspapers no longer sell in the high quantities they once did. People look on the internet, or social media, for their news, but the problem the medium is so vast it is impossible to take in, or rely on, everything there.

The numbers of local journalists, in turn, has shrunk to much smaller proportions, particularly in London where the smattering of hyperlocal reporters are covering bigger crime stories and court cases which leave them little time to look into residents’ concerns about faulty electrics. Journalists working in TV and radio wouldn’t be likely to touch this sort of story either – unless there was a catastrophe.

Grenfell residents tried to get the council to take notice, but were threatened with legal action.

Sometimes the only option to put pressure on is to approach the media. If Grenfell had been in central Darlington, The Northern Echo may well have spotted the blog, spoken to residents and reported on their concerns. The council, in turn might well have sent someone in to check the fire safety.

For local and regional newspapers, public interest stories are our lifeblood.

Misuse of power or incompetence by authorities at local level is highlighted. In the future, this just won’t be picked up in the same way.

It raises the questions, what will we do if local newspapers are gone? Who will provide an impartial voice for the public?