Isaac, 5, choked to death after losing hold of his mum as they fled tower blaze
A FIVE-year-old boy who was separated from his family during the Grenfell Tower inferno choked to death on fumes, an inquest heard yesterday.
The body of Isaac Paulos, who lived with his family on the 18th floor, was found on the 13th floor.
The coroner was told how Isaac’s mother wrapped a wet towel around his head as the family tried to escape.
But as they were led to safety through the darkness, his hand slipped from her grasp.
Details emerged as a national safety operation took place to urgently identify all buildings covered with a suspect cladding used on the block in North Kensington, west London.
Isaac was found in the 13th floor lobby along with Mary Ajaoi Augustus Mendy, also known as Cissy Mendy, 54, Westminster Coroner’s Court heard. She also died from breathing in fumes. Mrs Mendy lived on the 20th floor along with artist Khadija Saye, 24, a friend of David Lammy MP. Ms Saye’s body was found in a hallway on the 9th floor. The “wonderful young woman” was due to appear on a BBC documentary about her work, which was exhibited in a Venice art show. She died from smoke inhalation and burns.
The fourth victim to be identified yesterday was Mohamednur Tuccu, 44. Mr Tuccu, his wife Amalahmedin and his three-year-old daughter were visiting relatives, who are missing. He too died of breathing in fumes. The four inquests were opened and adjourned until July 12.
Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox said she has now formally identified 18 victims but expects many more as investigations continue. Dr Wilcox, who has already opened inquests into five other victims of the tragedy, gave her condolences to the members of each victim’s family.
Meanwhile, Theresa May chaired a meeting of the Grenfell Recovery Taskforce and led calls for authorities to speed up testing of potentially flammable material on towers.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said the authorities had the capacity to test 100 samples of cladding material a day and were nowhere near reaching that number.
“We request that landlords get this material to us urgently,” he said. Local authorities in 25 areas across the country have sent cladding samples from 75 buildings for testing – and all have failed fire safety tests. Hospitals and schools will also be tested.
The scope of the public inquiry into the blaze is expected to widen to examine the apparent widespread use of the cladding.
US firm Arconic has stopped global sales of its plastic-core Reynobond PE cladding, citing concerns about the “inconsistency of building codes across the world”.
Concerns over fire safety saw the Chalcots Estate in Camden, north London, evacuated on Friday, forcing thousands of residents from their homes. The council said 1,000 fire doors were missing at the estate.
The Grenfell Tower tragedy on June 14 left at least 79 people dead or missing presumed dead. Hundreds of people affected have so far received £1,450,000 from the response team.