Glasgow pays tribute to fire victims with minute silence
GLASGOW fell silent as the city joined the rest of the UK for a minute silence in memory of those who died in the Grenfell Tower disaster.
Rail managers, engineers and hotel staff at Glasgow’s Central Station halted proceedings this morning in a minute’s silence for the victims of the London fire last week.
Staff at Network Rail along with Virgin Trains and other station staff were joined by commuters and members of the public at 11am to pay respects to those who lost their life in last Tuesday’s fire.
A spokesman for Network Rail said: “All our stations across the UK observed the silence, giving passengers and railway staff the chance to pay their respects to all those who tragically lost their lives at the Grenfell Tower.”
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon paid her respects during an engagement in Glasgow yesterday morning.
There were emotional scenes at the site in north Kensington at 11am 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 at Government buildings across the country.
Meanwhile, more victims killed in the Grenfell Tower disaster have been named, after Scotland Yard announced the death toll had risen.
Ya-Haddy Sisi Saye, also known as Khadija Saye, 24, Abufars Ibrahim, 39, and Anthony Disson, 65, all lived in the 24-storey block, which was destroyed by a huge blaze last Wednesday in west London.
Five people have been formally identified, including 23-year-old Mohammad Alhajali and a woman whose family do not want her name to be released.
The rest are missing presumed dead, Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy.
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. We ask at this time that our family are left to grieve in private.”
Five people who had been reported missing after the disaster have been found safe and well, he added.
Amid anger in the wake of the disaster, which was described by London Mayor Sadiq Khan as a “preventable accident”, the Government announced that those left homeless will be given at least £5500 from an emergency fund.
Residents will be given £500 in cash followed by a bank payment for the rest.