Bowed but unbroken firefighter shows the strain on 999 services
WITH his head bowed and overcome with emotion, a firefighter yesterday personified the bravery of London’s embattled emergency services coping with the aftermath of the Grenfell Tower disaster and a third terror attack in as many months.
As the nation came together for a minute’s silence at 11am to remember those who had lost their lives in last Wednesday’s blaze, Scotland Yard had begun another terrorism investigation.
Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy confirmed yesterday that the death toll following the Grenfell Tower fire had risen to 79 and spoke of the harrowing scenes at the site in north Kensington.
He said: “I have investigated major crime for most of my service and I have seen some
I don’t think anything prepared me for what I was going to see. Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy.
terrible things. But I don’t think anything prepared me for what I was going to see when I was in there. It’s hard to describe my feelings, because I cannot imagine, and I would not want to put myself in the position of those families who have lost their loved ones.”
The Finsbury Park attack came a little over a fortnight after eight people were killed in a terror attack at London Bridge on June 3. On March 22, five people were killed in a car and knife attack in Westminster.
THE NATION united in silent grief yesterday as senior police revealed the emotional trauma that the emergency services had faced in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire which has now claimed 79 lives.
Scotland Yard confirmed yesterday the death toll had risen, with three more victims being named as the Government faced ongoing criticism of its handling of the response to the blaze.
There were emotional scenes at the site in north Kensington at 11am yesterday as firefighters halted work to join residents for a minute’s silence held to remember those who lost their lives and all others affected by the blaze. The silence was also observed across the country, as the true scale of the disaster continues to emerge.
Fighting back tears, Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy told reporters at New Scotland Yard about the scene inside the tower. Footage from inside the gutted building has been released, showing the extent of the damage.
Mr Cundy said it had been “incredibly emotional working in there”, adding: “On Saturday I went in myself and went to the top floor. And it is incredibly hard to describe the devastation in some parts of that building.”
The three victims who were named yesterday were Ya-Haddy Sisi Saye, also known as Khadija Saye, 24, Abufars Ibrahim, 39, and Anthony Disson, 65, who all lived in the 24-storey block which was destroyed by the huge blaze on Wednesday last week.
In a statement, the family of Mr Disson said: “Our family are devastated at receiving the news that Tony sadly did not survive the fire at Grenfell Tower.
“Tony leaves behind a large family, his wife, sons and grandchildren, including one grandchild he will never get to meet.
“We miss him terribly, and are pulling together as a family and trying to stay strong under these tragic circumstances.”
Five people have been formally identified, including Mohammad Alhajali, 23, and a woman whose family do not want her name to be released. The rest are missing presumed dead, Mr Cundy said yesterday, although he revealed that five people who had been reported missing have been found safe and well.
Downing Street confirmed several London boroughs had come together in a Gold Command structure to co-ordinate assistance.
The move came after Prime Minister Theresa May had admitted that initial support on the ground after the blaze was “not good enough”.
Asked whether Mrs May had considered resigning following criticism of her own performance, the spokeswoman said: “These are incredibly challenging times, with a couple of terrible incidents in a week and she is leading the country through this difficult time.”
The Government announced on Sunday that those left homeless will be given at least £5,500 from an emergency £5m fund announced on Friday.
It is incredibly hard to describe the devastation. Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy on the scenes inside the tower.