Queen and Prince visit community as sorrow turns to anger over fire
GRIEF over the Grenfell Tower disaster turned into angry protests yesterday as the official death toll rose to at least 30, with dozens more also feared to have perished.
Prime Minister Theresa May faced cries of “coward” and “shame on you” as she returned to the site of the devastating fire in west London after being criticised for not meeting victims during her visit on Thursday.
Demonstrators stormed the offices of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) council over its handling of the crisis amid concerns that earlier renovation work was linked to the dramatic spread of the blaze.
Hundreds of protesters also marched on Whitehall in central London, to voice their frustration at the Government’s response to the fire which ripped through the tower block in north Kensington early on Wednesday morning.
The crowd later began marching towards Kensington High Street, chanting “no justice, no peace”.
Downing Street announced a £5m fund for emergency supplies, food and clothing for victims amid fears the death toll will rise, with more than 70 people in total still believed to be unaccounted for.
There was a large police presence yesterday afternoon as Mrs May met a group of victims, residents, volunteers and community leaders at St Clement’s Church close to the scene of the horrific blaze.
She declined to speak to anyone outside the meeting where an angry crowd had gathered, and police broke up a scuffle among the group as Mrs May’s car drove off. The PM had earlier visited Chelsea and Westminster Hospital to meet staff and patients who were caught up in the fire and the emergency response.
After her visit, she said: “Everyone affected by this tragedy needs reassurance that the Government is there for them at this terrible time — and that is what I am determined to provide.”
The Queen and Duke of Cambridge went to temporary relief centres where they met volunteers, and residents who had lost everything.
They spoke with volunteers who have coordinated the relief efforts at Westway Sports Centre, in front of tables stacked with donated goods.
William commented to one volunteer, who spoke about the fire: “Things like that you never want to see.” The Duke told another volunteer: “That’s one of the most terrible things I have ever seen.”
The Queen heard how the community had rallied round in the wake of the fire, and praised them, adding that their response had “come over very strongly”.
Harrowing cries could be heard inside the main hall of the rest centre, where evacuated families and locals have been gathering, as a group of residents consoled one another. The Queen and William signed a book of condolence in front of a wall bearing posters of those still missing.
Meanwhile, a resident who managed to escape from the 15th floor said he feels “lucky to be alive”. Christos Fairbairn said he “will never forget” the harrowing experience and “will never live in a tower block again”. He added that he was “tripping over bodies” in the darkness as he tried to make his way to the stairs.
The 41-year-oldsaid he was watching television when he heard an alarm go off and saw smoke starting to seep into his flat. “I rang the fire service and they told me to get out,” Mr Fairbairn said.
“I tried to leave the flat three times, and each time the smoke was too thick. I started to panic. I began banging on the window shouting: ‘Help me, help me.
“I tried to open the window, but I burnt my hand on the melted plastic. I could see police outside and people just standing there. It felt like they were just watching me. Then I realised if I don’t go, I would die here.”
He then wrapped a wet jumper around himself and ran out the door. “The smoke was black and it was so hot I couldn’t breathe, but I kept going,” he said.
Mr Fairbairn said he was “tripping over bodies” in the darkness as he tried to make his way to the stairs. “On one of the floors I tripped badly and fell, as I looked up I saw the face of a dead man. I can still picture him now.”
By the time Mr Fairbairn made it to the third or fourth floor, he says he was choking and unable to breathe. “I started to feel faint. I collapsed and that’s when I felt a firefighter grab me,” he said.
After making it out of the building, he was treated for smoke inhalation.
“I was crying and having flashbacks. Now I’m left with nothing and nowhere to live,” he said.