Community honours New Cross Fire fourteen

A plaque commemorating the lives of 14 young people who died in the New Cross Fire 30 years ago was unveiled in London today.

Over one-hundred and fifty people including parents, survivors and friends congregated in New Cross, London to pay tribute to the young lives that were lost in this tragedy.

For many, the survivors who still live with the daily trauma demand answers having suffered in silence for so long. “Many of us have suffered in silence for years; others can’t sleep trying to cope with the physical pain and mental trauma that resulted from this tragedy.” said Mr Haynes who himself continues to have surgery having sustained terrible burns.

Mr Haynes continued: “Although the fire itself was not a racist attack, everything else that went along with the fire was racist, the enquiry the whole thing the way they treated the kids, the parents it was all racist after that, the fire wasn’t racist but we need justice and it starts from here.”

A spokeswoman representing the Metropolitan Police force commented: “Many of my colleagues have grown up in our police service with the New Cross Fire and the subsequent events as a backdrop to our police service. I, like my colleagues from the Fire Service feel honoured and privileged to be invited to be a part of this ceremony to commemorate those who died, here, thirty years ago and pay a lasting and physical tribute to those who died.”

A representative from the London Fire Service said: “… We fully understand the impact on the families, the friends and of course the community here in South East London. Thank you for allowing us to be here it is a very sad occasion but we are proud and humbled to be here today to acknowledge your pain and your trauma.”

Charles Collins who laid a floral tribute to his friends that died in the fire said: “For thirty years I have been trying to plant fourteen trees to commemorate those that died in this tragedy.  The council have continually denied me this opportunity, I would be grateful if my humble request to help me grieve and cope with my depression is answered.”

Joan Ruddock from Lewisham Council responded by saying. “I think what we must understand that in that in the depth and grief and despair people want to do different things. And in all the years there has been a need for people to do what they want and they have been divided.  Because of the difficulty of having large trees in front to properties they couldn’t stay here….”

“….I think the community whether it’s this person or that person as a whole likes planting trees and would like trees planted in commemoration of those who died.