To say that the week gone has been emotional would be a gross understatement.
The horror and the heartache that came watching the Grenfell Tower go up in flames will remain in our hearts forever, while the anger at the failings of the government at local and national levels continues to rise.
But there can be nothing but love, praise and eternal gratitude for our emergency services, who put their lives on the line to try and save others. The police, ambulance and fire services have all been extraordinary.
The people of Kensington let their feelings be known this afternoon, as they came together to applaud and cheer firefighters leaving the area after four long, arduous days on the scene.
LBC reporter Vincent McAviney caught the scene on camera, in which visibly moved firefighters were given a hero’s send-off, fully deserved and rightfully so.
Watch: Incredible moment @LondonFire Brigade fightfighters leaving #GrenfellTower brought to tears as they are clapped out by community.@LBC pic.twitter.com/ynEXUtCOpF
— Vincent McAviney (@VinnyMcAv) June 18, 2017
Two hundred firefighters tackled the blaze that started in the early hours of Wednesday morning. It took 200 firefighters almost a day for the blaze to be brought under control.
At least 58 people are believed to have died in the Grenfell Tower fire, with the number of dead expected to continue to rise. There were estimated to be between 400 and 600 people living in the flat, with the vast majority still unaccounted for.
