London Grenfell disaster victims named

This 16 November 2017 video from London, England is called Grenfell fire: Police Reveal Final Death Toll Five Months After Tragedy.

By Peter Lazenby in Britain:

Police name last Grenfell victims

Friday 17th November 2017

Labour calls for sprinkler cash as ‘final’ death toll hits 71

LABOUR again called on the government to find the cash to install sprinklers in high-rises yesterday after the final two victims of the Grenfell Tower fire were identified.

Mother and daughter Victoria King, 71, and Alexandra Atala, 40, were said by family members to have died side by side.

The total number who died is 71, including a baby who was stillborn in hospital after his parents escaped the tower.

Shadow housing minister John Healey said: “Now the agonising wait is over and it has finally been confirmed that 71 people died in the devastating Grenfell Tower fire, we again send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost loved ones.

“The government must now step up its work to help the survivors of the terrible fire at Grenfell Tower, most of whom are still in hotels more than five months after the fire.

“Ministers must also use the forthcoming Budget to urgently act to make the homes of high-rise residents across the country safe, by setting aside funds to install sprinklers in all social housing tower blocks.”

In a statement released through police the women’s family said: “We were devastated to hear of our sister Vicky’s fate, and that of her daughter Alexandra, in the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

“Some comfort can come from the knowledge that she and Alexandra were devoted to one another and spent so many mutually supportive years together.

“They died at each other’s side and now they can rest together in peace.”

Local Labour MP Emma Dent Coad pointed out that the local community initially refused to accept the seemingly low official death toll but that she had “not heard any dissent” regarding the 71 figure.

“Let’s also remember the hundreds of survivors and evacuees still in bed and breakfast and temporary accommodation.

“The Christmas holidays are not far away. We must do everything humanly possible to get people moved into suitable permanent accommodation.”

Scotland Yard has said its criminal investigation into the fire and its causes may consider individual as well as corporate manslaughter charges.

Commander Stuart Cundy said: “It is hugely complex and challenging. We are using experts and specialists from a wide variety of disciplines to establish what happened.”

He said the tower would cease to be a crime scene in the spring and will then be handed back to Kensington and Chelsea Council.

“The decision about what happens to the tower will then be a matter for them and others, that will not be a decision for the police,” Mr Cundy said.

But he said it was “impossible” to put a timescale on when any charges might be brought.