Resident of flat where Grenfell fire started offered witness protection after family left ‘fearing for their lives’

Father-of-one Behailu Kebede was the first to raise the alarm when the fire broke out in his fourth-floor home.

The Grenfell Tower resident who lived in the flat where the deadly fire started was offered witness protection after speculation about the outbreak of the blaze left his family fearing for their life.

Father-of-one Behailu Kebede was the first to raise the alarm when the fire broke out in his fourth-floor flat on June 14 last year, the inquiry into the fire heard on Wednesday.

His lawyer told the public inquiry that he called 999 and alerted all his neighbours on that floor before fleeing barefoot without his wallet or keys, forced to watch “utterly helpless” as the fire engulfed the building.

But “nasty lies” circulating at in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy claimed Mr Kebede had taken the time to pack his back before raising the alarm - leaving him terrified that he would be blamed, his lawyer said.

Helpless: This picture shows the fire rapidly spreading up the tower, with residents watching outside 
AP

The inquiry heard that Mr Kebede - a father-of-one - had lived in the west London high-rise block for 25 years, having originally moved from Ethiopia.

Rajiv Menon QC said Mr Kebede “did exactly what Grenfell Tower residents who discovered a fire in their flat were told to do by the fire action notice posted by the lifts”.

After being woken by his smoke alarm in the early hours, he banged on the door of five other flats on the floor, yelling "Fire! Fire! Fire!" and waited until somebody opened each flat, his lawyer told the hearing.

The fire is believed to have been started by a fridge in Mr Kebede's fourth floor flat

Mr Menon said: "Having warned all his neighbours on the fourth floor, Mr Kebede returned to flat 16, switched off the main electricity in the hallway and put on some trousers. He left his home for the very last time, shutting the front door behind him.

"All he had on his person were the clothes he was wearing and the mobile phone with which he was calling 999."

He added: "He did not pack a suitcase and leave after raising the alarm, a nasty lie printed in the days after the fire and sadly continue to be peddled nearly a year later."

To his horror, Mr Kebede watched as a few minutes later and despite the efforts of firefighters, the fire managed to exit his flat in the vicinity of the kitchen window, took hold of the exterior facade and spread upwards on the east side of the building with great speed and fury”, said Mr Menon.

He said Mr Kebede took photos and videos of the blaze developing and kept firefighters informed about the start of the fire. “He desperately wanted to do more to help his neighbours and friends but what practically could he do?” said Mr Menon. “He felt utterly helpless.”

After the fire Mr Kebede and his family were subject to a lot of media attention, his lawyer said.

Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry: Flat 16 - In pictures

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Police became so concerned about Mr Kebede's safety that "they suggested witness protection", while his parents and children now "feel unsafe" in his home.

He has also suffered repercussions to his health - which were not outlined - but was said to be "terrified" at the prospect of giving evidence.

"He just wants to be given the opportunity to try and rebuild his life as best he can," his lawyer said.

Grenfell Tower: The fire claimed 72 lives
AP

Inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick was called upon to "explicitly exonerate" the survivor.

The inquiry was told that he received a call from the police the day following the fire and immediately assisted their inquiries.

Mr Menon said: "He had the most frightening, traumatic and shocking experience of his life. He didn't hesitate."

Victims of the Grenfell Tower fire

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He continued: "Mr Kebede is a significant witness in the police investigation, not a criminal suspect."

It was suspected the fire had begun in a Hotpoint fridge-freezer in the flat, but Mr Menon said there had been no prior issues and it had not been tampered with.

Appealing directly to Sir Martin, he said: "Mr Kebede hopes that, having heard all the evidence, the inquiry will make a clear and unequivocal statement that Mr Kebede as absolutely blameless for the outbreak of the fire, its spread and its fatal consequences.”

Mr Menon added that the fire was a “symbolic of a deep inequality” in Britain. He claimed it was “no coincidence” that most of the block’s residents were first or second-generation immigrants and refugees.

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