'I'll never forget what happened': Grenfell Tower survivor's harrowing account of escape

A Grenfell Tower resident who escaped from the 15th floor said today he feels “lucky to be alive”.

Christos Fairbairn, 41, who moved to the block two years ago, said he was told by firefighters to “wrap a wet towel around yourself and get out”.

He told the BBC: “I opened the door and the smoke was so thick I couldn’t. I tried to leave the flat three times and each time the smoke was too thick.

“I started to panic. I began banging on the window shouting: ‘Help me, help me, I’m stuck’. I tried to open the window but I burnt my hand on the melted plastic.

“I could see police outside and people just standing there. It felt like they were just watching me. Then I realised if I don’t go I would die here.

“I wrapped a wet jumper around myself and ran out of the door. The smoke was black and it was so hot and I couldn’t breathe but I kept going.”

He said he was “tripping over bodies” in the dark as he stumbled his way to the stairs.

“As I got to the third or fourth floor I was choking and couldn’t breathe. I started to feel faint. I collapsed and that’s when I felt a firefighter grab me.”

He added: “I can’t believe I am alive. I will never forget what happened and how traumatising it was. I know I will never live in a tower block again.”