14 June 2017: The Night of the Fire
12:54 AM: A fire broke out in a fourth-floor flat due to a malfunctioning fridge-freezer. The fire quickly spread to the exterior of the building, fuelled by the newly installed cladding and insulation.
1:00 AM: London Fire Brigade (LFB) received the first emergency call, and firefighters arrived within minutes. Despite their swift response, the fire had already reached the upper floors.
1:29 AM: Residents were initially advised to “stay put” in their flats, a standard fire safety protocol for high-rise buildings. However, as the fire spread uncontrollably, this advice was later revised to encourage evacuation.
Early Morning Hours: The fire engulfed almost the entire building. Rescue operations continued throughout the night, with firefighters rescuing many residents, but tragically, 72 lives were lost.
Can you remember what you were doing that night? When was the first time you heard about the fire?