Grenfell Tower to be lit up in green to mark the first anniversary of the disaster

GRENFELL Tower and surrounding blocks will light up in green to mark a year since the moment the devastating fire took hold, claiming 72 lives.

Today marks 12 months since a small kitchen fire in the west London high-rise turned into the most deadly domestic blaze since the Second World War.

Twelve blocks, plus the tower, are expected to turn green in a show of solidarity across the west London skyline, while Downing Street is also to be illuminated. The 13 buildings will be lit up from 00.54am today – the time of the first 999 call reporting the fire – until 5am.

For the following four evenings they will be illuminated from 8pm until midnight.

The display is one of a series of commemorations and vigils taking place this week as the public inquiry takes a step back.

On the eve of the anniversary, members of the grieving north Kensington community gathered for a 24-hour vigil to reflect on those who died in the fire.

During the private vigil at St Clement’s church, the names of the 72 victims will be read out at 1.30am.

From 11am, there will be a service of remembrance at St Helen’s church organised by campaign group Relative Justice Humanity for Grenfell.

Clarrie Mendy, who lost two family members in the fire and organised the anniversary event, said the names of the 72 victims would be read out, while 73 doves will be released outside the church. She said: “It’s a service of healing, community, inclusivity and solidarity, to know we are not alone.

“We’ll be releasing 73 white doves. Why 73 instead of 72? One for the unknown. If there were more than 72, we will put one for the unknown.”

They will be giving out 400 white roses which people will able to carry on their way to the tower afterwards.

In addition, a moment of silence will be observed at midday by survivors and bereaved gathered close to the tower’s base and nationally.

A community mosaic is to be unveiled, while wreaths will be laid and candles lit.

In the afternoon, the community is expected to congregate at the nearby “Wall of Truth” ahead of the silent march which will set off around 7pm.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will join survivors, the bereaved and others at the dignified gathering, which has taken place every month since the fire.

Yvette Williams, from campaign group Justice 4 Grenfell, said: “I think we kind of almost move from ‘did it really happen at all?’ to ‘it feels like it happened yesterday’, to looking at the struggles the bereaved families and survivors have had over the year.

“We want the nation to keep Grenfell in their consciousness.”

It comes as latest figures show that 68 families will spend the anniversary in emergency accommodation, mainly hotels.

Some 52 households are in temporary accommodation and 83 families are in permanent homes.