Son of fire victim ‘wants to join father in heaven’

TEARS FELL on the third day of the Grenfell Tower inquiry as a son told the room he wanted to die so he could join his elderly father in heaven.

Hamid Ali Jafari, whose father Ali Yawar Jafari, 82, was killed in the June 14 blaze, said he prayed every day that he would die so he could see his father again.

He said his “hero” father had a special connection with his young son, and that sometimes he felt his father’s soul was present in the child when he held him.

Speaking quietly, as his sister and mother cried, he said: “I have never dreamed or thought of going to heaven but now I fight every day, every second, because I want to join my dad.

“And I pray every day – and even I request my friends to pray for me – that I die soon to meet my father.”

Mr Jafari was pulled from Grenfell Tower by firefighters after losing contact with his family but was pronounced dead at the scene due to inhalation of toxic fumes.

The grandfather, who lived on the 11th floor, was described as a kind man and husband who loved animals and travelling.

His son said in a video tribute: “I think the happiest moment he had was when my son was born, because he was attached to him a lot.

“Both of them were connected to each other so sometimes when I see my son I feel like my dad’s soul came in my son.”

Commemorations were also heard for six further victims at the Millennium Gloucester hotel in South Kensington yesterday. Ahead of yesterday’s hearing, notes were placed on seats warning attendees when there may be “particularly upsetting” content.

It follows turbulent scenes on Tuesday, when people fled in tears after footage of the tower engulfed in flames was broadcast during a commemoration without anyone being warned beforehand.

Yesterday footage was played showing the charred wreckage inside the tower.