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A SURVIVOR OF the Grenfell Tower disaster has said ex-residents are still being “denied swift justice” four years on from the catastrophic fire.
Tiago Alves, his father, mother and younger sister all escaped from their home in Flat 105 on the 13th floor in the early stages of the deadly blaze on 14 June 2017.
On the night of the fire, his parents, returning home after dropping off visiting family at their hotel, became aware of smoke on the fourth floor.
Alves’s father woke his sleeping children and alerted other residents on their floor to get out of the building that would eventually become engulfed in the smoke and flames that claimed 72 lives.
“There was a long time where I did feel like it could have been different, it could have been me,” he told the PA news agency.
Ahead of the fourth anniversary of the disaster today, Alves, 24, recalled the “frightening” and “chaotic” scenes four years ago, adding that he was “disappointed” at progress since.
He said recommendations from the phase one report of the ongoing inquiry into the fire had not been implemented, and noted the absence of the social housing white paper in the recent Queen’s Speech package of proposed legislation.
Meanwhile, the Metropolitan Police has previously been told to wait until the public inquiry has published its final report before passing evidence to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider any criminal charges.
“Implementing recommendations and the social housing white paper are important pieces of legislation for us to feel like it’s moving forward,” Alves said.
“Because a criminal investigation can’t go ahead until the inquiry is over, it does feel like we’re being denied swift justice.
“It still doesn’t feel like we’re any closer to achieving the justice that people who passed away deserve. It just feels like it’s taking a long time.”
Today marks four years since a small kitchen fire in a Grenfell Tower flat on an estate in Kensington, west London, turned into the most deadly domestic blaze since the Second World War.
The Grenfell United campaign group said there will be an online remembrance event at 7pm, while churches have been asked to simultaneously ring their bells 72 times at this time as an act of remembrance, followed by a two-minute silence.
The public are also asked to “go green for Grenfell” at 10pm by placing green lights in their homes and gardens.
Meanwhile, local churches close to the tower site have prepared a special online service to be shared on Sunday.
Alves, who still lives in the local area, said he has had therapy since the fire to help him cope with “survivor’s guilt” and the “extremely difficult” period afterwards.
“Thoughts penetrate your head and you just feel like, why was it someone else? Why was it not me? What makes me special?” he said.
But he is now studying for a masters degree in physics, while his sister Ines, who famously sat her GCSE chemistry as a 16-year-old the morning after the fire, has finished her first year of university.
Alves now supports the campaign for justice and backs those advocating for cladding and flammable materials to be removed from buildings.
“In our opinion, the best form of justice that we feel like we can achieve at this very moment, apart from actual criminal justice, is making sure that people are safe in their homes,” he said.
“That’s our way of honouring the legacy of those who’ve passed away, whilst at the same time feeling like their deaths weren’t in vain.”
To mark the anniversary Alves said he will find time to visit the base of the tower which he wants to eventually be turned into “a memorial” and “place where the community can learn to heal and inspire the youth in the local area”.
The Covid-19 pandemic has prevented survivors and bereaved families from gathering together for months, but Alves said it was important to “remember those who passed away and remember that we still have to continue fighting because justice isn’t just going to be given to us”.
Grenfell United, a group of survivors and bereaved families, said: “Four years on and time has not made our loss any easier.
“We hear more damning evidence every week at the public inquiry showing us just how preventable the fire was – had they listened.
“Yet four years on, the Government are as determined as ever to avoid taking any meaningful action to prevent another Grenfell.
“We’re determined to keep the pressure on Government to break this cycle of inaction and indifference, and to confront those guilty parties that continue to show complete disregard to the safety of us all.
“Grenfell has highlighted a toxic political culture within the construction industry. Both the Government and the building industry corporates involved have striking similarities – which is total lack of regard for human safety.
“We will continue to campaign for truth, change, and justice – not just for our loved ones, but for the whole country, to ensure that no one has to suffer how we have suffered, and so that such a tragedy never happens again.
“72 lives lost, forever in our hearts.”
UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: “Today we remember the 72 lives lost in the Grenfell tragedy four years ago. My thoughts are with the survivors, the bereaved and the wider community affected by this devastating fire.
“This government is committed to ensuring this never happens again.”
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: “There are many whose lives will never be the same after Grenfell.
“We owe it to the people who died, to the survivors and the entire community to ensure that nothing like this ever happens again.”
He said the Grenfell community had been “unwavering in their dignity and strength, continuing to campaign and fight for justice and public safety”, and he would do “everything in my power to ensure all Londoners feel safe in their homes”.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said his thoughts were with the bereaved and the survivors, adding: “We stand with the community at Grenfell which has steadfastly campaigned for justice and change.”
Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick said: “This is a day for the bereaved, the survivors and the residents of North Kensington – all our thoughts are with them as they remember the lives lost in the Grenfell Tower tragedy, four years ago today.
“The Government will continue to stand with the community to honour those that lost their lives and ensure justice is delivered.”
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Seeing as we are an island surrounded by beautiful (for the most part) coastline it makes sense to play to our strengths, especially if such high employment rates could be achieved. One worry that I would have is how seasonal a lot of these projects and would an uncontrollable factor such as weather be able to negatively impact this initiative very easily?
Absolutely but once we don’t return to the bad old days of rip-off Ireland. We have a habit of shooting ourselves in the foot.
Ha, less is more! No more hype. What we need is well-functioning infrastructure, for example real cycle ways, like the Green Way to Achill Island. We do not need more golf courses, tourist traps or badly signposted and maintained ‘walking’ or ‘cycling’ ways just on roads. It doesn’t become a cycle track by putting a sign or two there: it’s still a road. We also need local ‘bad weather’ attractions’. All tourist amenities and historical attractions are closing from Oct to Mar here in the west. If we want any ‘all year round’ tourism we have to stop this and keep them open with a skeleton staff ratio for some days the week. We do not need only cheap seasonal labour; we need sustainable tourism for the future
100% agreed, we could be a massive market leader in this! Our west coast is pretty incredible and should be developed in a clever way, walking/cycling/hiking are all huge markets and some minor investment could reap huge rewards!
We don’t exploit our natural resources half enough for tourism or even for ourselves. “craic” and leprechauns ain’t gonna bring tourists here.
Our politicians sell off our natural resources to be exploited
Oil and gas attracts tourists how?
They should maybe be thinking along the lines of safari park accommodation in Africa or ski resorts – but in the wilds of Bureen, Donegal or Kerry etc., Not dated old hotels in cities but specifically located modern facilities that cater for the activities. That ‘get away from it all’ experience that actually does live up to the phoney TV ad blarney we see all the time.
BTW It’s a real shame so much of the East coast is off limits and blocked off – you can’t walk very far south from Dun Laoghaire without hitting houses directly on the coastline. And of course the whole city harbour is non-existant pretty much with Dublin Port blocking everything. You’d think there would be regular short hop ferries from the City center to Howth, Clontarf, or Dun Laoighaire, Greystones at this stage. We must be the only major city with a harbour that doesn’t do this – like Hong Kong, Sydney, London etc.,
West Cork needs to look at the infestation of private property keep out signs that blight their beautiful countryside. As a regular visitor it leaves a bad taste and it’s not something you see in neighbouring Kerry, nor do we want to see it.
Dublin bay cruises runs every day Dun Loaighaire- Dublin port – Howth and back again , although I would love to see another one from malahide – Howth etc or possibly a park and ride ferry at Clontarf going to Howth . Yes I’m from Howth :)
Hong Kong, Sydney and London are not comparable cities to Dublin.
The Wild Atlantic way is a great idea and takes people along done of the very best and must stunning scenery in Ireland.
In the world I think you meant
What a joke ! A bit of Sun and every Skumbag and his bird took over all the coastal beaches the last few days and We want tourists to bring a Towel ! Clean up the filth first.
I think the staff spend their time on beaches, the staff at the College Green office never heard of Francis Bacon never mind where his exhibition was being held. 1 assistant simply replied “NO” when asked where the exhibition was on. I wrote to newspaper hoping somebody in the tourist board would at least inform their staff of important events. People come from all over the world to see this exhibition and out Tourist Board never heard of it. Shameful.
That’s not a Failte Ireland Tourist Office. It’s business, mostly a ticket selling office for day tours etc. It is just designed to look like a tourist office.
hope they don’t end up destroying the landscape
http://www.travelbuddy.mobi have over 450 things to do in Ireland. It’s a good list of what’s available around the country to visitors.
Shameless plug finished.
I bet the government are factoring in McDonald’s into this….no shame
There was a story on the front page of the Western People about a proposed Monasteries of the Moy Greenway, along the shore of the Moy estuary from Ballina to Killala getting blocked by land owners. If these land owners did farm they would probably be the best farmers in the world.
How long before we see the wild atlantic way destroyed with wind turbines and pylons….Irelands politics will see to that
And when the subsidies run out the West will look like this.
http://toryardvaark.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/abandoned_southpoint_wind_farm.jpg
Why? There’s nothing to see in Ireland outside Dublin.
Looking for attention?
Nothing to see in dublin only puke….whenever the wife and I go home we go straight to Cork
I remember this catchphrase during the 80s
Ireland should now capitalize on promoting our radiation free coastline…something that is the envy of a lot of countries around the globe…
The Irish Sea has been described by Greenpeace as the most radioactively contaminated sea in the world with some “eight million litres of nuclear waste”
Britain has been dumping nuclear waste in to the Irish sea for 50 years. Probably the most radioactive sea in Europe.
There is a total media blackout as to what is going on in the pacific ocean and west coast of the United States up as far as Alaska.
Have you ever left a comment that wasn’t negative Frank? Perennial moaner!!!
Marlon Brando…………..The truth about Fukushima is negative……
No point sticking your head in the sand about it.
Why is it always about the coastal areas we have beautiful lakes and river shannon in the middle of the country no money ever spent cmon bord failte huge potential here
We need to think big here. Our West coast is stunningly beautiful from Donegal to kerry and beyond. A cycle way like the one from Westoprt to Achill should be built along the entire west coast with facilities in place like bike hire and small cafés, public toilets, camp sites(proper ones like they have in France and Italy).
We need changing rooms and cafe’s on our popular surfing beaches.
Cycling and hiking holidays are very popular and we should tap into this market as much as we can and push Ireland as the best place on earth to go on a hiking and cycling holidays.
With a bit of planning and investment this would be very achievable and could give people on our west coast a sustainable income by setting up small businesses along this route (like bike hire, camping sites, cafés, B+Bs, surf hire, etc)
I think that there should be a route like the west opened up down in the South West and South East. You would be taking in small towns along the Kerry Cork Waterford and Wexford. Some of the most stunning scenry you can find any were in the world. I might be abit biased but the coast road from Dungarvan to Tramore is stunning with the copper coast and all the small seaside villages like Stradbally , Annestown, Bunmahon and Fenor.
This from Bord Failte’s own Visitor Attitudes Survey:
“The country’s natural heritage including the Burren
and the cliffs of Moher far outperformed other aspects
with 66% of visitors ‘very interested’, compared
with traditional culture (45%) historic Ireland (41%),
Celtic Ireland (37%), Christian Ireland (25%) and
contemporary culture (12%).
An unspoilt environment (85% of respondents) and
the range of natural attractions (81%) resonate with
Europeans selecting an Irish holiday…”
So please Bord Failte, stem the already tragic desecration of our lovely countryside by planning laws that allow modern bungalows or estates of holiday homes to be built in beautiful natural area, especially along the coast…
Imagine going to a Tuscan village and seeing modern bungalows built there – or a French village – it just wouldn’t happen, would it?
Perhaps Failte Ireland need to realise that our natural assets like our wild and unspoilt countryside are what attract tourists (both foreign and domestic). I have heard so many tourists express disappointment at the blighting of our beauty spots by tacky one off modern bungalows and developments, from golf courses to estates of ‘cottage’ holiday homes that should never ever have been given planning permission. It is hideous to see coastal dunes in a beauty spot marred by a golf course. They need also to tackle the fact that the right to roam is so restricted in this country, unlike other countries where they have kept their rights of access to beauty spots – who owns this land after all?
Good work.
The hotel trade in Ireland is in serious debt!
Government should help reduce the Vat rate to zero for 5years to help the industry recover.
The Spanish Government support the tourist industry in Spain financially by subsidising the industry.
The Irish Government could reduce VAT to zero to allow the industry recover!
dermot , the hotel trade in ireland is in serious debt because too many hoteliers borrowed huge sums of money trying to ‘out do’ their competitors by building leisure centers, golf courses and spas instead of concentrating on getting the basics of the hospitality trade right .good service, clean accommodation and good food will always be the main factors for people staying in a hotel or even a b&b , when these factors are ignored or placed lower down the scale than someones pipe dream or ego trip of having a golf course or sauna, thats when things start to fall apart . delusions of grandeur were epidemic in the hospitality industry during the ‘tiger’ years, from hotels to coffee shops, to back street cafe’s far too many of them tried to go beyond their means and capabilities.
If it is not our Tourist Board the CEO of Irish Tourism should be fired and charged with neglecting the Brand name. That makes the whole situation even worse, imagine Apple or Google brand names being treated the same way. I suppose our trademarks are in Irish. Jesus help us, our biggest business brand and they can’t even protect it.
inspired by this article we took a trip out today along the ‘gold coast ‘ and ‘copper coast’ from Dungarvan to Tramore in county Waterford , the beaches at Bunmahon and Annstown cove were fair busy and looked good, but sadly you could hardly see a lot of the beautiful coastline as you drove along the road due to the overgrown grass verges, even the verges around the car parks were overgrown , on land that was obviously farmland (you could see them collecting the silage) the hedges and verges were cut neatly and alongside private houses the same , but when it came to verges and hedgerows along public roads the view was hidden by the overgrowth. surely its not to much to expect local authorities to take care and maintain these roadside verges and hedgerows. tourism brings a lot of money to these areas, if they are left in such a poor state and neglected, tourists will no longer visit and the local economy will suffer . why do we put up with such inept and short sighted national and local government in this country?..
the ‘ big thing ‘ in holidaying and tourism these days is a return to camping and caravaning, people prefare the ability to come and go as they please instead of the more limited structure of staying in hotels or b&b’s, ireland though has a very ‘unfriendly’ attitude to wards motorhomes and caravaners, and although the standards a many of the countries ‘official’ camping sites have greatly improved over the last 10 yrs or so, there is still a shortage of good cheaper sites or ‘wild camping’ sites available, the south east in particular is quite expensive for caravan/camping holidays . the recent changes to the law regarding motorhomes and their use is also very restrictive , the fact that a campervan or motor home should (by law) be classed as a ‘recreational vehicle’ and therefore only used for a short time each year is both restrictive and idiotic , modern motorhomes,campers and caravans are built to be used all year round, also the ban on caravans using lay-byes as short term stop over points is again restrictive . we have enjoyed some fantastic short stays and journey’s around the irish coasts in the past and look forward to many more .
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