Fire brigade ‘had time’ to clear tower

One of the first residents to discover the Grenfell Tower fire has said there would have been enough time for the fire brigade to evacuate the highrise once the blaze took hold.

Manuel Miguel Alves, who owned his 13th-floor flat, said it was clear from early on the fire could not be stopped and getting residents out of the “trap” was London Fire Brigade’s “only choice”.

Mr Alves and his wife discovered the fire moments after it started when the lift they were inopenedtoreveallightsmoke in the fourth floor lobby.

He went up to his flat to get his children out, later watching in horror as flames spread to the top of the tower..

He said in a written statement to the public inquiry: “Looking at the fire on Grenfell Tower, it seemed clear that the fire brigade should have gone to the top of the tower, knocked on all the doors and got people out.

“There was still enough time to evacuate the building and it was clear the fire could not be stopped and that this was the only choice.

“It was out of control within minutes and I could see the fire hoses could not reach high enough and could not stop it.”