The chairman of the public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire has reassured those affected by the disaster that the probe "can and will provide answers".
Martin Moore-Bick told the packed Grand Connaught Rooms in central London that he hoped the inquiry would "provide a measure of solace" to the survivors and the families of those caught up in the blaze, which claimed at least 80 lives.
The former Court of Appeal judge said on Thursday: "The inquiry can and will provide answers to the pressing questions of how a disaster of this kind could occur in 21st century London."
Moore-Bick rejected calls for survivors to be included as a member of his team of assessors, telling the inquiry it would "risk undermining my impartiality".
He acknowledged the "great sense of anger and betrayal" felt by survivors of the fire and those touched by the tragedy - but indicated he would endeavour to examine evidence "calmly and rationally".
He said the probe's terms of reference had been "deliberately cast in broad terms in order to give me the scope to pursue any line of inquiry that seems fruitful".
Among the issues to be examined in detail are the causes of the fire, the response of the council and the refurbishment of Grenfell Tower, which is suspected to have exacerbated the blaze.
Moore-Bick said: "My job isn't to decide which two or more parties had the best case.
"It is simply to get to the truth with the help of all those who have relevant evidence to give.
"The process should be seen as essentially co-operative."
No evidence is being heard on the first day of the hearing and an interim report is expected by Easter.
The fire started in a fridge freezer and spread quickly through the 24-storey tower block in North Kensington in the early hours of June 14.
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