Tower block fire near Grenfell brings trauma back into focus

A woman who saw firefighters battling a fire less than a mile away from Grenfell Tower on Tuesday morning said the sight brought into focus the “trauma those affected by Grenfell face daily”.

Around 60 London firefighters tackled a fire at a high-rise building near to Grenfell Tower.

London Fire Brigade (LFB) confirmed that eight fire engines were in attendance as firefighters battled the blaze at Queensdale Crescent in Shepherd’s Bush – less than a mile away from Grenfell.

An LFB spokesperson said half of a flat on the 12th floor is alight. No injuries have been reported at the scene and the fire was brought under control within 90 minutes.

One eyewitness said the sight of the blaze made her “physically sick”.

Joanna Foster captured photos that showed the smoking building in the background of Grenfell Tower where 72 people died five years ago this month.

“In West London and saw this and heard sirens. Getting closer it seems a different building than the tower is on fire,” she said.

“No less horrific for those affected and has made me feel physically sick. What must it be like for all those affected by Grenfell who face such trauma daily?”

Station commander David Bracewell, said from the scene: “Three people from the affected flat left before the brigade arrived. A number of other residents evacuated the building.

“Firefighters led six residents to safety via an internal staircase. Further residents who were not affected by fire, heat or smoke were advised to remain in their flats.”

The blaze comes just a week after thousands of people joined survivors of the Grenfell fire and bereaved family members in a silent walk to mark the fifth anniversary of the fire.

The disaster has also uncovered failings that have led to a building safety crisis with as many as 10,000 buildings in England still deemed unsafe.

An inquiry into the causes of the fire and the handling of its aftermath is still ongoing but none of the recommendations from the first phase of the inquiry have so far been implemented.

No one has been charged in connection with the fire at Grenfell Tower despite calls from campaigners for justice.