Gatherings mark five years after Grenfell fire

THE GRENFELL Tower community is to come together today in memory of those who died and mourn the losses that “remain heavy in our hearts”, five years on from the deadliest domestic blaze since the Second World War.

A series of memorial events will be held today to mark the fifth anniversary of the tower block blaze in west London, on June 14 2017, which claimed the lives of 72 men, women and children.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Abbey this morning, where the names of the victims will be read out, and tributes paid.

Roses will be laid on the Innocent Victims’ Memorial, and an abbey bell will toll 72 times.

Members of the Grenfell Next of Kin group, which represents those bereaved by the tragedy, said they do not want their loved ones’ deaths to have been in vain.

Raheleh Afraseibi, who lost her mother Fatemeh and aunt Sakineh in the fire, said the “catastrophe is never ending for us”.

She said: “They lost their lives so others could live in safety. We don’t want them to just say ‘Never forget’ – we want it cemented in some way.”

Among those speaking at the service will be former Channel 4 broadcaster Jon Snow and Imran Khan QC, one of the lawyers representing those directly affected by the tragedy at the public inquiry.

Mr Snow said: “I am honoured to be invited to speak at this vastly important remembrance from which we all have so much to learn.”

At 2pm a 72-second silence will be observed at Westfield shopping centre, after which the names of the 72 victims will be read out. Later in the afternoon, barriers around the tower in north Kensington will be removed so people can gather at its base for a service.