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Bereaved families give evidence to Lakanal inquest

Families of the women and children who died in the Lakanal House fire have told jurors of their feelings of grief and loss, at an inquest this afternoon.

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Dayana Francisquini, 26, died in the blaze along with her son Felipe, 3, and daughter Thais, 6, in flat 81 on the 11th floor of the block.

Her husband Rafael Cervi, told the inquest: ‘Everything I knew, everything I dreamed of, was over in three hours.’

He found out his son had died, then his wife and his daughter the next day. ‘I had to suffer three different times,’ he told the inquest. ‘I wished at least one of them was alive after half an hour, after an hour-and-a-half and another one after 12 hours.’ 

Helen Udoaka, 34, and her 20-day-old baby Michelle lived in flat 82, and were with their neighbour in flat 81 when they died.

Ms Udoaka’s husband Mbet Udoaka told the inquest: ‘I am traumatised I have lost both Helen and Michelle. I hope one day I will see them.’

Catherine Hickman, 31, died in flat 79, next to 81 and above the ninth floor flat where the fire started. A statement from her parents, Philip and Veronica Hickman, was read out.

‘All those who knew her are heartbroken,’ the statement said. They said it would take ‘day and night’ to list all her attributes, but gave some as: ‘Beautiful, kind, loving, warm, genuine, trustworthy, loyal, funny, proper, sweet, classic talented, unique and irreplaceable.’

The inquest is due to hear from Fernando Francisquini, the father of Ms Francisquini, and Mark Bailey, the partner of Catherine Hickman later this afternoon. The inquest is due to continue until Easter. 


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