The unsung heroes of Grenfell Tower fire: How Londoners came together in the face of tragedy
In these trying times, Londoners have banded together to help the poor souls that were affected by the shocking fire.
The blazing fire at the Grenfell Tower in north Kensington claimed twelve lives yesterday and as many as sixty people are receiving medical care at five hospitals, while hundreds of residents have lost everything that they once knew as home.
Hundreds of firefighters arrived at the scene
More than 200 firefighters actively responded to the event as the 24-storey apartment block went up in flames in the early hours of June 14.
One of the firefighters, Terry, told LBC Radio, “We were just meeting people coming down the stairs in smoke. I don’t know how they were breathing. We were in breathing apparatus, and we were like literally carrying them down the stairs.”
A photo of these brave men and women catching a breath after saving hundreds of lives has gone viral on Twitter and people are rightly praising them as “heroes.”
Muslims beginning Ramadan fast woke up sleeping neighbours
In addition to this, another interesting development has warmed the hearts of people on Twitter. It has come to light that the local Muslims may have played a vital role in saving lives in the early hours as they were beginning fasting for Ramadan.
There were several Muslims helping rescued victims at ground zero. HuffPost UK reported that Muslims who woke up early for Suhur, a meal before beginning fasting, alerted neighbors of the fire, banging on doors to wake them.
One Khalid Suleman Ahmed told HuffPost UK, “No fire alarms went off and there were no warning. I woke my auntie up, then got clothes on and started knocking on neighbours’ doors. Every house opened except two – I saw the other guy later on so only 1 family unaccounted for. My next door neighbour was fast asleep.”
Help flooding in from people on Twitter
As the event unfolded, several Islamic cultural centers and mosques have opened their doors to the victims.
In addition to this, a large number of people, including celebrities, are also extending their helping hand on Twitter by posting about emergency housing and basic necessities such as food, clothes, toiletries etc.
Sky News reporter blasted over insensitive joke after Grenfell Tower fire