The resident within whose flat the Grenfell fire started has said he is now a “ghost of a man”.
Behailu Kebede, a taxi driver, survived the blaze which killed 72 people in 2017.
He had moved into the flat 25 years previously, and was in the process of buying it off the council when the tragedy occurred.
The fire was started by a faulty fridge freezer in Behailu’s flat, but ended up spreading due to the cladding in the building.
He called the fire brigade after seeing smoke in his kitchen but the flames’ were too fast, soon engulfing the tower.
Before the blaze, Behailu had been feeling “hopeful” about the prospect of buying his home but explained “that dream died with the fire”.
Speaking at the inquiry into the incident, Behailu said: “Even though my family and friends keep telling me that I am not responsible for the fire and I know they are right, I cannot help but blame myself.
“Sometimes I wish I had burned in the Tower with the others. I have been burning inside ever since.”
However, Behailu was not found at fault for the Grenfell fire.
Despite the inquiry’s findings, Behailu was blamed by some members of the media, and falsely called an islamist. At one point, he was even offered police witness protection.
Grenfell Tower on fire via Netflix
The tragedy has been pushed back to the front of people’s minds following the release of Netflix’s Grenfell: Uncovered which explores the fire and the aftermath.
Viewers were quick to show sympathy to all those involved, including Behailu who admitted he is now “a ghost of a man” following the incident.
Further speaking at the inquiry, he said he had “wanted to meet the families of the bereaved, but I did not have the courage to do so,” adding: “I feel broken inside. I am not the same man I used to be.”
Behailu provided a statement which was read out in a 2024 memorial. It said: “I know, in my head, that the fire was the fault of RBKC (the council), Celotex, the government….in my heart – which is full of fear and grief, it was in my flat, my kitchen, where it started. It’s a deep pain, a shame that I carry.”
You can watch Grenfell: Uncovered on Netflix now.
Featured image via Netflix/Facebook
