Behailu Kebede: Current Update Following Netflix’s Grenfell: Uncovered

Behailu Kebede, a survivor of the tragic Grenfell Tower fire, has been featured in the new Netflix documentary titled Grenfell: Uncovered. The film reveals how Kebede, who played no role in the fire, became a scapegoat in the aftermath of this devastating event.

In the early hours of June 14, 2017, Grenfell Tower, a 24-storey residential building in West London, became the site of an inferno that would claim 72 lives. What started as a minor blaze quickly spiraled into a massive fire, fueled by highly flammable cladding that had been installed during a recent renovation.

This documentary serves as a critical examination of the systemic failures by various entities, including businesses and the UK government, which contributed to the tragedy. Through personal stories shared by survivors, bereaved families, and first responders, viewers are invited to reflect on how such a disaster could occur.

Moreover, Grenfell: Uncovered showcases how Kebede was unjustly thrust into the public eye, while the true accountability for the disaster lay elsewhere.

Where Is Behailu Kebede Now?

Currently, Behailu Kebede resides in London with his family but has maintained a low profile since the tragedy. Recently, he described himself as a “ghost of a man, ” highlighting the deep emotional scars left by the incident.

While the fire originated from an electrical problem in Kebede’s refrigerator, an inquiry revealed that he had taken appropriate actions by alerting emergency services. It was the combustible cladding that exacerbated the situation, allowing the fire to spread uncontrollably.

In the documentary, Peter Apps, news editor at Inside Housing, emphasizes the media’s tendency to seek a singular narrative in the wake of such disasters. He remarked, “In the aftermath of a fire like Grenfell, there’s a desire among the media… to find a simple scapegoat.”

Apps further pointed out how misleading narratives emerged, some suggesting a connection to terrorism, despite Kebede being an Ethiopian Orthodox Christian. He had lived in the fourth-floor flat for approximately 25 years and even considered witness protection due to the harassment he faced.

“He was a survivor and a victim of what happened. He had no responsibility at all.”

This sentiment was echoed by Rajiv Menon QC during the 2018 inquiry, where it was confirmed that Kebede was roused by his smoke alarm and quickly called emergency services while urging his neighbors to evacuate. Menon emphasized, “Given all the garbage that has been written about him in the past year, it’s important to say he is a significant witness and not a criminal suspect.”

The True Source of the Tragedy

Photo of Grenfell Tower on fire — Netflix

The documentary reveals that critical mistakes were made long before the day of the fire, particularly during a £10 million refurbishment completed in 2016. The choice of flammable aluminum composite cladding over safer materials has drawn significant scrutiny.

Documents from the investigation indicate that the original contractor, Leadbitter, quoted £11.27 million for the project. However, after the contract was reopened for bidding, Rydon won it with a bid of £8.7 million, ultimately saving the council £2.5 million. This decision is just one among many that has raised questions regarding safety prioritization.

Experts have since stated that without the hazardous cladding, the fire likely would have remained confined to Kebede’s apartment, preventing the widespread devastation that occurred.

Despite being exonerated from blame, Kebede’s life has been irrevocably altered. During the Grenfell Testimony Week in 2024, he expressed his deep sense of loss and trauma. Reading his statement through an actor, he conveyed an overwhelming desire to meet with bereaved families but was hindered by anxiety and media scrutiny.

The remnants of Grenfell Tower after the fire — Netflix

“I do want the defendants to understand what happens to an individual like me, an ordinary person, caught up in a catastrophe, ” Kebede stated, highlighting the stark difference between him and those who contributed to the disaster.“I know, in my head, that the fire was the fault of RBKC, Celotex, the Government… in my heart… it was in my flat, my kitchen, where it started. It’s a deep pain, a shame that I carry.”

Grenfell: Uncovered is now available for streaming on Netflix, offering an essential exploration of the fire and its far-reaching impacts. For those interested in documentary updates, check out news regarding OceanGate’s Wendy Weil Rush, the new Karen Read special, and the backlash facing Travis Scott from Trainwreck viewers.

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