Tragic symbol of London inequality

Rising among the stylish town houses that define west London prosperity, the charred remains of Grenfell Tower on the edges of Notting Hill now serve as an ominous reminder of the British capital’s vast disparities, reports AFP. On Thursday, debris continued to fall from the 24-floor tower’s dark skeleton as the acrid smell of burnt plastic wafted in the wind after a fire in which at least 17 people lost their lives.
Behind the security cordon at the foot of the tower, a moving show of solidarity has emerged, mixing with resentment of local residents who feel hard done by in what is Britain’s richest neighbourhood.
Londoners from across the city have already donated so many crates of clothes, water and food that the local authorities have called for no further help.
“Notting Hill is the poshest part of London, but we need to come together,” Sarah Archer, 34, told AFP in front of a blue ping-pong table that has become the impromptu meeting point for volunteers.
“People feel helpless, they do not know what to do, so they give,” said Sonia, an Algerian woman who was helping a friend look for missing family members.
“We all know each other here, it’s a very mixed neighbourhood, with Muslims and non-Muslims, many families with young children,” she explained.
She described hearing screams of anguish from those trapped in the tower on the night of the disaster.
Grenfell Tower is located in Kensington and Chelsea, statistically the richest neighbourhood in the country, but with the most pronounced wealth disparities.
As with many boroughs in the British capital, crossing the road can take you from an idyllic scene of metropolitan chic to a world of concrete and economic hardship.
Former prime minister David Cameron on Wednesday tweeted his “horror” at the “terrible fire in my local neighbourhood.”
The former leader lives a few minutes walk away in Notting Hill, famed for its charming houses with multicoloured facades, its annual carnival and a Hollywood film featuring Hugh Grant.

Tragic symbol of London inequality

Rising among the stylish town houses that define west London prosperity, the charred remains of Grenfell Tower on the edges of Notting Hill now serve as an ominous reminder of the British capitals vast disparities, reports AFP. On Thursday, debris continued to fall from the 24-floor towers dark skeleton as the acrid smell of burnt plastic wafted in the wind after a fire in which at least 17 people lost their lives. Behind the security cordon at the foot of the tower, a moving show of solidarity has emerged, mixing with resentment of local residents who feel hard done by in what is Britains richest neighbourhood. Londoners from across the city have already donated so many crates of clothes, water and food that the local authorities have called for no further help. Notting Hill is the poshest part of London, but we need to come together, Sarah Archer, 34, told AFP in front of a blue ping-pong table that has become the impromptu meeting point for volunteers. People feel helpless, they do not know what to do, so they give, said Sonia, an Algerian woman who was helping a friend look for missing family members. We all know each other here, its a very mixed neighbourhood, with Muslims and non-Muslims, many families with young children, she explained. She described hearing screams of anguish from those trapped in the tower on the night of the disaster. Grenfell Tower is located in Kensington and Chelsea, statistically the richest neighbourhood in the country, but with the most pronounced wealth disparities. As with many boroughs in the British capital, crossing the road can take you from an idyllic scene of metropolitan chic to a world of concrete and economic hardship. Former prime minister David Cameron on Wednesday tweeted his horror at the terrible fire in my local neighbourhood. The former leader lives a few minutes walk away in Notting Hill, famed for its charming houses with multicoloured facades, its annual carnival and a Hollywood film featuring Hugh Grant.