The clip showed debris falling from the burning tower (Picture: AFP)

A person collapsed at the Grenfell Tower inquiry after footage of the burning building was shown on a big screen without warning.

People began flooding from the room in tears as the video, which was part of a tribute to the Choucair family that lost three generations in the blaze, was playing.

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Inquiry staff were supposed to notify those in attendance, including many survivors and grieving relatives, before images of the tower appeared.

But without notice, phone camera footage flashed on both screens at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel, South Kensington, showing flames engulfing the block.


Huge distress instantly washed over the room and many of those affected could be seen burying their faces in their hands before leaving the room.

Footage flashed on both screens at the Millennium Gloucester Hotel (Picture: LNP)

Survivors and grieving relatives of the victims listened in to the second day of tributes (Picture: Getty Images)

Crying could be heard from the hallway.



Bernard Richmond QC, counsel to the inquiry, was forced to pause the video when flashing lights from an ambulance started interrupting.

Several minutes later, he said: ‘Somebody has collapsed outside and is being dealt with, so if you could stay in the room that would be very helpful.’

It is unclear who had collapsed.

Acknowledging his failure to warn survivors about the shocking imagery, Mr Richmond said: ‘I’m sorry that the warning that should have been put out didn’t get put out.’

Grenfell Tower now stands covered in scaffolding (Picture: Getty Images)

The dramatic development came towards the end of a second emotional day at the inquiry.

Thirteen victims had been honoured, including Debbie Lamprell, Maria del Pilar Burton, Rania Ibrahim, her daughters Fethia and Hania, Khadija Saye, Mary Mendy and the six members of the Choucair family.

Hesham Rahman was also due to be honoured.

The brother of Nadia and the son of Sirria told the room he had harboured misgivings about Grenfell Tower.

Hisam Choucair: ‘In one night I have lost half of my family. I feel like a stranger now. It has destroyed everything. I feel like part of me has been taken away.

‘When I go past and look at the tower I have flashbacks. I know they are just pictures on my head but I can actually see people in the windows, dying, trying to get out.’

Sir Martin Moore-Bick will start the formal evidence hearing next week (Picture: Rex Features)

Earlier in the day, chairman of the inquiry Sir Martin Moore-Bick had been presented with a painting of Grenfell Tower’s burnt-out skeleton.

Titled Eyesore: The Final Straw, the picture was created by Ms Mendy’s cousin, Damel Carayol, who also gave a copy to Theresa May recently.

It quoted Sir Martin’s own pledge to uncover the facts behind the tragedy, saying ‘work until truth is laid bare’.

Personal tributes from bereaved relatives and friends of Grenfell Tower victims will continue into next week, before the formal evidence hearings begin.