Grenfell dad fled inferno carrying daughter
A FATHER thought of sparing his daughter a terrifying death by not waking her when he discovered the Grenfell Tower inferno.
Richard Fletcher, then 42, woke to a popping noise and saw fire up the length of the building. His six-year-old daughter was still asleep.
In a written statement to the Grenfell inquiry he said: “I thought the best thing to do was to climb back into bed with our daughter, Aston, Oritse, circled, Marvin & JB in 2009 with my wife and me on either side, to cuddle her and let the smoke and fire take us.
“It would mean her last moments would not involve her screaming.”
Mr Fletcher said he then sprang “back into fighting mode”. He realised the stairs were their only chance as he had seen thick smoke but no flames.
STAIR DASH Richard Fletcher He told his wife: “Whatever happens don’t let go. We get out together or we die together.” They descended but were prepared to jump from a window if their route was blocked. CCTV shows he left with his daughter in his arms at 1.31am. A total of 72 people died as a result of the fire in North Kensington, west London, last June. The inquiry continues.