CLASS ACTS
Schoolgirl, 16, who escaped Grenfell Tower fire then went to sit chemistry GCSE tells how her classmates brought her clothes, toiletries and money when they found out
A HERO teen who fled burning Grenfell Tower before sitting a chemistry GCSE exam has praised her school pals for bringing her clothes and money.
Determined Ines Alves escaped from her 13th floor flat with her parents, brother Tiago and her revision notes.
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Despite being unable to sleep as her home was destroyed in the fire, the 16-year-old still turned up for her GCSE chemistry exam at Sacred Heart School in Hammersmith later that morning.
Ines was still wearing the same clothes she had escaped in - but was determined to take the test after studying so hard for it.
She has now revealed her remarkable classmates showed up at school with clothing, toiletries and money to support her.
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She told This Morning: "[What had happened] was always there on my mind but it was like a way of escaping it and not thinking about it.
They were really supportive. all my friends brought in clothes, toiletries, everything that I would need and gave me money as well."
The teen's heartbroken family lost everything they own in the massive blaze.
But speaking to Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes today, Ines and her brother said they felt lucky" compared to some people who have lost everything.
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The teen said: "Personally we are quite fortunate as there are families who don't have anywhere to go, they don't have friends or family close by so we are lucky."
Ines had been sleeping in her bedroom on the 13th floor when her dad woke her to tell her about the fire.
The family, who lived in Grenfell for 11 years, managed to escape before the inferno ravaged the 24-storey tower block killing at least 30 people.
The schoolgirl said: "It seemed pretty controlled when we got downstairs and then in the space of six minutes it had risen up to six flats above and it was just uncontrollable.
"Everyone was screaming, crying, it was just horrible."
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After sitting the exam, brave Ines joined her family to help others whose lives had been devastated by the blaze.
The family have since been separated as they become one of hundreds of people who escaped their homes as the fire ravaged the building.
At least 30 people have died after flames ripped through the West London tower block in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
What we know so far:
- At least 30 people have been confirmed dead but the death toll is feared to be more than 100 - with many people still missing
- The first victims have been named as Syrian refugee Mohammed Al Haj Ali, 23, and 24-year-old Khadija Saye
- The Prime Minister has promised a full public inquiry into the disaster and police have launched a criminal investigation
- The blaze on Wednesday night is thought to have been sparked by a faulty fridge but police don't believe the fire was started deliberately
- Experts warned the fire was spread by cladding panels which are fitted to countless buildings across Britain
- Residents were seen jumping from upper floors in scenes reminiscent of September 11 and horrified witnesses told of babies being thrown from windows by desperate mothers
- It was revealed the block had only recently undergone a £10million refurb and still had no sprinkler system installed - but designers insisted the refurbishment work complied with building regulations
- Residents raised safety concerns four years ago, but were ignored
- Celebrities and ordinary Londoners have united to provide food, clothes, money and shelter for survivors
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