Fireworks could ‘reawaken’ trauma of Grenfell blaze for children

‘I don’t even know how you begin to deal with that, it’s a really harrowing job you have to do’

BONFIRE night could reawaken symptoms of trauma in schoolchildren who witnessed the Grenfell Tower fire, authorities have warned.

The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea council has written to all schools in the area alerting them of the emotional risk posed by the annual festivities. It is feared the sight of the open fires and loud fireworks traditional of Nov 5 will distress children and families who experienced the deadly inferno.

The borough’s set-piece display on Saturday night at the Roof Gardens will take place yards away from where many survivors of the blaze are staying in hotels. The event has not been organised by the council, which did not hold a bonfire night event last year either.

Other events in neighbouring boroughs are also to go ahead as planned. Displaced families are to be warned about the display, which starts at 11.45pm, while extra support staff are to be deployed.

Roaming teams will also be sent out because it is feared unregulated bonfires pose the greatest risk of upsetting witnesses to the June 14 tragedy, which killed more than 80 people.

Emma Will, of the council, said: “Traumatic memories can be revived by many sensations – a sight, a smell, a noise. These can trigger a response that takes a person back to the most traumatic of times. We want to make sure that, if that happens, people have the support available. We are working with NHS, Hestia and our incredible schools and teachers to makes sure that happens.”

Mental health workers from the NHS and the nearby Hestia charity will be drafted in to provide support across North Kensington over the weekend.

An NHS 24/7 emotional support line is also available on 0800 0234 650 and overnight counselling services will be stationed in hotels where survivors are staying. Yesterday the Duke of Cambridge met family liaison officers working with families affected by the Grenfell fire as he attended the Metropolitan Police passing out parade for new constables in Hendon, north London. He told them: “Well done, guys, you really do an honourable job.”

The liaison officers, based in Hendon, have been helping families, including those who escaped the burning building. The Duke said: “I don’t even know how you begin to deal with that, it’s a really harrowing job you have to do.”