A Grenfell Tower fire survivor has said he is worried the tragedy may become “the precursor to something bigger” because of the lack of progress in implementing change.
Tiago Alves, his father Miguel, mother Fatima and younger sister Ines escaped from their home on the 13th floor in the early stages of the deadly blaze on June 14, 2017.
Mr Alves 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.
Speaking at their family home in Brent, west London, Mr and Mrs Alves and their son said their main focus is to ensure nobody else loses their lives or experiences the pain the Grenfell community went through.
They expressed their concern the government is yet to implement key recommendations from the public inquiry, such as placing a legal obligation on building owners to outline Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for residents who cannot evacuate themselves.
Last month, the government said it planned to keep the controversial “stay put” policy, meaning residents of most buildings should wait for rescue services rather than leaving in the event of a fire.
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People place white roses at a memorial service for those who died in the Grenfell Tower fire, outside Westminster Abbey in London. Reuters -
Marlene Anderson, the daughter of victim Raymond Bernard, speaks during the memorial service. Reuters -
People observe the memorial near the Grenfell Tower site in London. AP Photo -
Candles with the names of the victims are lit during the memorial service at Westminster Abbey. Getty Images -
Mayor of London Sadiq Khan arrives for the memorial service at Westminster Abbey. Getty Images -
Messages of support written on a wall surrounding Grenfell Tower in west London. AFP -
A message left at the Grenfell Tower Memorial Wall near the Grenfell Tower. EPA -
A man lays a wreath at the Grenfell Tower Memorial Wall. EPA -
Flames and smoke billow as firefighters tackle the blaze in Grenfell Tower, West London, in June 2017. Reuters -
The fire claimed 72 lives. This year marks the fifth anniversary of the disaster. PA -
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, declared the fire a major incident. Getty Images -
A helicopter circles as smoke rises from the building. Getty Images -
Smoke billowing from the fire that engulfed the 24-storey building. PA -
Firefighters and emergency services gather at the building. Getty Images -
A Grenfell Tower fire survivor has said he is worried the tragedy may become 'the precursor to something bigger' because of the lack of progress in implementing change. PA -
The plastic and aluminium cladding installed on the sides of the tower was cited as the main cause of flames rapidly spreading up the building, the first report of the Grenfell inquiry stated. Reuters -
People write messages on a wall near the scene of the fire. Reuters -
Missing persons posters were displayed in a street near the scene in the aftermath of the fire. Reuters -
A man donating water to a stall set up to help people affected by the fire. Getty Images -
People writing tributes and messages of condolence for the victims on a wall near the site. Getty Images
In a consultation document, it said it believed the cost of adopting PEEPs would not be “proportionate” and it would not be “practical” or “safe” to implement.
Tiago Alves, 25, said: “A lot of the people who managed to survive were people who managed to get out early because they ignored ‘stay put’ advice.
“And so … I’m gobsmacked at the fact that we’re still having this conversation five years on.”
Mrs Alves, 52, added: “They won’t learn from their mistakes.
Tiago Alves continued: “Why do we have to fight so hard for this? We’re not experts — we’re bereaved and survivors.
“We experienced what we experienced that night. Our trauma and our experience should be useful for something, for government to actually implement changes that need to be made.
“Look at Lakanal House — it happened, there was a fire, that was the precursor to Grenfell. I’m worried if Grenfell will become the precursor to something bigger.”
Six people died and 20 were injured in the Lakanal House fire, which occurred in 2009 in Camberwell, south-east London.
The first report from the Grenfell Inquiry found lessons from the Lakanal fire had not been learned by the time of the Grenfell disaster eight years later.
Tiago Alves said he was previously someone who trusted in authority, but now it “almost feels like that trust is completely broken”.
The family said they would like to ask Communities Secretary Michael Gove whether he would stay put if a fire broke out in a block of flats where he was living.
Miguel Alves, 54, said he believes “nobody will stay put because they are afraid”.
On Tuesday — the fifth anniversary of the fire — the family will join other survivors and bereaved at the base of the tower for a multi-faith service and wreath laying.
Tiago Alves said he will spend the day remembering those who died, as well as in gratitude for everyone who has been “by our side, supporting us” and who “gave us the ability to speak out to make sure something like this can never happen again”.
He said: “Whatever I try and do, I try and do it to make those who aren’t able to be with us proud.
“That’s one of the things that keeps me wanting to continue the campaign, because, at the end of the day, they can’t come back.
His father added: “We can save lives for the future, I think that is the most important thing for me.”
