I cried each day for Grenfell girl that I could not rescue
In cross-examination, he began to sob in the witness box as he was told that 999 operators knew Jessica was on the 23rd floor.
He was offered a break by chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick, but sat with his head turned away for several seconds.
In his written statement, he said: “The Grenfell Tower fire has massively affected me and I have had a hard time since then.
“In the following month I cried every day and talking about what happened was very upsetting.”
Mr Badillo launched his solo search without authority from his superiors after Jessica’s “distressed, panicked and anxious” sister told him she was alone in their flat.
He did not realise the blaze had become a “raging inferno”.
He said: “I just wanted to go and get the little girl out of the flat, as she was alone.
“Normal procedure would be to go with someone and not go above the fire floor. However, I risk-assessed the situation and did not think that I was in danger. I didn’t tell anyone what I was doing as there was so much going on. The radio was busy and by the time I had found someone to tell, I could have gotten the girl out. I also thought that I would be told ‘no’, but I was worried for the girl’s safety.”
His first attempt to reach the 20th floor was without breathing apparatus and he abandoned it.
Mr Badillo eventually reached the flat with a colleague and made a thorough search of “all the typical hiding places”.
He thought “Jessica must have gotten out” but was forced to go back outside because his air supply was running low. There David Badillo, above, and left in front as he entered Grenfell Tower. Right, tragic Jessica he witnessed what he “disaster movie” scenes.
He said: “I could clearly see people, still inside, at their windows, waving for help whilst holding their phones which were lit up. I looked to where we had just been on the 20th floor and it was glowing orange – it was a raging inferno and the fire was up to the 23rd floor.
“The realisation that hundreds of people were in that fire and people were going to die was heartbreaking. I knew in my heart of hearts that not everyone was going to make it out.”
The inquiry continues. called