In the early hours of Wednesday morning (June, 14th 2017), authorities were alerted to a fire at the Grenfell Tower, in Latimer Road, near Notting Hill.
Credit: BBC News/ YouTube
The fire apparently started on the fourth floor shortly before 1am, in 24-storey building, escalating quickly. Firefighters allegedly responded at the scene within 6 minutes of the initial 999 call. Members of the community who witnessed the tragic events saw desperate people in the block of flats. A woman was seen throwing her baby from the ninth or tenth floor. The baby was caught by a man below, according to the Huffington Post.
Such acts illustrate the enormity of the situation and fear amongst the people. It is a sad time in West London, and the neighbouring area also, and so thoughts are with all those affected.
Credit: Eyevine
What really saddens me and a lot of other members of the community is the fact that the enormity of the fire and overall situation could have been prevented – if the council had listened to the concerns of the community. Residents had complained to the council about there not being adequate fire exists, fire alarms etc. and there were not any sprinklers in the building that would have helped to dampen the fire. The Grenfell Action Group raised concerns last January about the fact that residents could be trapped in their flats in the case of a fire!
And what did the council do? Nothing!
Credit: Getty Images
Continuously, I have heard news reporters comment on the refurbishments that the Grenfell Tower went through last year and the £10 million spent, but evidently, it has been to no avail. At least 12 people have died, 66 in hospital – some in critical conditions – and 2,000 people homeless. So how helpful were these refurbishments?
For me, the refurbishments were aesthetic and aimed at making the Grenfell Tower look “pretty” on the outside so neighbouring “rich” people were less disgusted at the sight of the building.
Credit: Paul Hackett/Reuters
Yet again, poor people have been failed by the system, specifically by the council, who have spent money (if any) in the wrong places and neglected the safety of the hundreds of families who were living in this building.
Homes and lives have been lost, in a tragedy that seems to have been preventable. But the community is coming together to support each other in such traumatic times and so, please support the community in any way that you can – donating food, clothes, toiletries etc.
Credit: CLARE D/PACIFICPRESS/BARCROFT
Here are some places to donate:
The Westway Centre at 2-4 Malton Road, W10 5UP
The Kensington Town Hall on Hornton Street, W8 7NX
Beethoven Centre, Third Avenue, W10 4JL (Clothes, toiletries and anything useful)
Westway Sports & Fitness Centre at 1 Crowthorne Road, W10 6RP
The Sheriff Centre in West Hampstead are accepting all donations.
Tabernacle church in Westbourne
Latymer Road Centre on Bramley Road (Food)
Round Wood Youth Centre
Peace and Blessings
