It’s cheap, it looks good on buildings, but it burns — hot and fast

A fire engulfs the 24-story Grenfell Tower in London on Jun 14. At least 80 people died in the blaze that’s been blammed on flammable building material added in a renovation. (Photo by Gurbuz Binici /Getty Images)

A fire engulfs the 24-story Grenfell Tower in London on Jun 14. At least 80 people died in the blaze that’s been blammed on flammable building material added in a renovation. (Photo by Gurbuz Binici /Getty Images)

The same stuff that makes buildings look shiny and new is the stuff that burned hot enough to destroy an I-85 overpass and to send flames roaring up an apartment high-rise in London, killing 80 people.

The material is on multi-story buildings across the U.S., a review by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution found. Building inspectors have allowed it. Manufacturers have encouraged it. Developers and building owners have cut costs with it.

Find out what metro Atlanta university, what Atlanta mental health facility, what famous downtown tourist draw and what Southeastern federal courthouse might be sporting the flammable product by clicking here to read the AJC's in-depth investigative report at MyAJC.com.

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