London Glandfields fire victims are Dominican family

go through TDN News Agency Staff

June 22, 2017 at 3:30 AM

Marjorie Vital and Ernie Vital are believed to be dead.

London, UK (TDN)

Two Dominicans are among dozens of people missing and feared dead in the Grenfell Tower fire in London a week ago. Marjorie Vitale, 67, and her son Ernie Vitale, 43, have not been seen since the fire broke out in the early hours of June 14, 2017.

The two victims, who emigrated from Soufriere, Dominica, are believed to have been among the ill-fated building’s first residents. Family and friends of the two victims have been frantically trying to find news of their loved ones. Marjorie Vitale’s niece, Mimi Delson, told British newspapers that the pair lived on the 16th floor of the apartment and had not been heard from since the fire. Another family member wrote on Instagram: “We are looking for my uncle and grandmother Ernie and Marjorie Vitale. They lived on the 16th floor of Grenfell Tower. If anyone can help or has any information please contact us on 07828835824 or 07886940857. Thank you.” Meanwhile, British authorities are continuing their investigation and the death toll is expected to eventually reach 79. So far, only eight people have been identified. It is believed that the fire may have been started by a faulty fridge in a fourth-floor apartment, which then spread rapidly as the cladding on the building’s exterior caught fire and spread upwards.

Many residents were able to escape alive, but others stayed inside as recommended by fire officials and paid with their lives.