The Grenfell Tower Inquiry Podcast

Warning you may find some parts of this podcast distressing.

Marcio Gomes told the inquiry how he and his family got out of Grenfell tower from the 21st floor. The inquiry heard a 999 call he made on his way down the tower.

The inquiry also heard evidence from the last person to leave the tower. Elpido Bonifacio, who is registered as blind. He wasn’t rescued until after 8am.

Producers Kate Lamble and Elisabeth Mahy

The Inquiry heard evidence from Natasha Elcock who lived on the 11th floor.

Firefighters didn't reach her and her family until 4.30 in the morning. She made 14 calls to the emergency services while she was trapped in her flat.

Hanan Wahabi lived in Flat 66 on the 9th floor. After she and her family escaped the tower, she called her brother Abdulaziz El-Wahabi who lived higher up the tower.

Producers Kate Lamble and Elisabeth Mahy

Elizabeth Sobiesczak had lived in Grenfell Tower for 32 years before the fire. Today she described how she got out from the seventh floor with her husband and daughter.

The inquiry also heard written evidence from 21 bereaved, survivors and residents. These included accounts from the 15th, 10th, 8th and 6th floors. .

Producers Kate Lamble and Elisabeth Mahy

Nicholas Burton and his wife were rescued by firefighters from their flat on the 19th floor. The inquiry heard how he was led down the stairs through thick black smoke.

Helen Gebremeskel who lived on the 21st floor also gave evidence. Her twelve year old daughter was carried from the tower by firefighters after she collapsed in the stairwell.

Producers Kate Lamble and Elisabeth Mahy

The inquiry heard from three witnesses today. They all escaped the tower within forty-five minutes of the first 999 call being made.

Rashida Ali left her flat on the 15th floor with her daughter. Her husband Sid Ali Atmani was unwell and chose to stay in bed when his family left. He told the Inquiry how he made the decision to leave the flat when he realised the severity of the fire.

Hoang Khanh Quang lived on the 10th floor. She was woken up by the sound of the fire alarm to find flames at her kitchen window.

Producers Kate Lamble and Elisabeth Mahy

Sener Macit stayed in his flat on the 16th floor until after 3.30. It was then the fire broke through his windows, setting his curtains, bed and wardrobe alight.

Alemishet Demissie who lived on the 12th floor also gave evidence. She and a friend who was staying in her flat described how the floor turned black while they were trapped.

Producers Kate Lamble and Elisabeth Mahy

Roy Smith thought he and his family were going to die on the 12th floor of Grenfell Tower. Today the inquiry heard how they got out.

Written evidence was also read out today. The inquiry heard excerpts from statements made by friends and relatives of the Choucair family, and relatives of Berikti Haftom. Statements from survivors from the 18th and 9th floor were also read out.

Producers Kate Lamble and Elisabeth Mahy

The inquiry heard evidence from Paulos Tekle. His five-year old son, Isaac, got separated from his parents while they were trying to escape from the 18th floor. He died.

Rabia Yahya escaped from the 18th floor with her three children.

Producers Kate Lamble and Elisabeth Mahy

Naomi Li is one of two residents from the 22nd floor who survived the fire. She described how she sheltered in a neighbour’s flat before deciding to try and escape down the stairs.

Hamid Wahbi lived on the 16th floor of Grenfell tower. He was the only one of his family at home on the night of the fire.

Written evidence was read out from other bereaved, survivors and residents.

Producers Kate Lamble and Elisabeth Mahy

Farhad Neda carried his mother Flora down the stairs from the 23rd floor. His father Saber Neda stayed in the flat, assisting other residents who had fled up the tower.

Producers Kate Lamble and Elisabeth Mahy

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