Grenfell Tower fire victim Isaac Paulous’ heartbroken family pay tribute to their ‘beloved son’
THE family of one of the youngest victims of the Grenfell Tower inferno have paid tribute to their "beloved son".
Little Isaac Paulous, aged five, died after choking on fumes from the fire, an inquest heard.
The youngster, who had previously been named as Isaac Shawo, lived with his family on the 18th floor and was found on the 13th floor, Westminster Coroner's Court was told.
He vanished in the dense fumes as his family attempted to escape the blaze, and had to be identified by his dental records.
Today his heartbroken family have paid tribute to him saying: "Isaac our beloved son was taken from us when he was only five-years-old.
"We will all miss our kind, energetic, generous little boy.
"He was such a good boy who was loved by his friends and family. We will miss him forever, but we know God is looking after him now and that he is safe in heaven."
Westminster coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox opened and adjourned the inquests of four people including Isaac.
Coroner's officer Eric Sword told the hearing Isaac's preliminary cause of death had been given as "inhalation of fire fumes".
Dr Wilcox told the court she had met with his parents and passed on her condolences to them.
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She added that some 18 of the at least 79 victims had so far been formally identified.
Dr Wilcox told the inquest the investigation was extremely challenging.
She said: "I have now formally identified 18 people who have died within this tower block and the tragic fire incident.
"There are many outstanding identifications still to come.
"It can't really be explained in enough detail how complex an investigation this is in terms of identification and in terms of recovery of bodies on a dangerous site that my team are not allowed to enter because the building is being shored up."
The other three victims whose inquests were opened included artist Khadija Saye, 24.
The artist, hailed as a "wonderful young woman" by Tottenham MP David Lammy, was due to appear on a BBC documentary about her work, which was on show in Venice as part of a collection on the theme of diaspora.
The inquest heard Miss Saye, also known as Ya-Haddy Sisi Saye, was found on a hallway on the ninth floor, 11 floors below her 20th floor home.
The hearing was told her preliminary cause of death was "inhalation of fire fumes and burns".
The inquest of her mother, Mary Ajaoi Augustus Mendy, was also opened.
The body of Ms Mendy, 54, also known as Sissy Mendy, was found on the 13th floor.
She was described as having a "pure" heart with a "one of a kind" soul.
Her sister Betty Jackson said in a statement on behalf of the family: "My beloved sister, words can never describe the pain of losing you.
"I can't believe you are gone. You were a wonderful sister, an incredible aunt, the best mother any child could have wished for.
"You were an amazing friend to all those who knew you.
"Your heart was pure, your soul was one of a kind. You will be missed for a life time. You will remain forever in our hearts, you and your beautiful daughter Khadija Saye.
"From your sister, brothers, nieces and nephews."
Her provisional cause of death was "fire fumes, pending further investigation", Mr Sword told the inquest.
She was also identified via dental records.
The fourth inquest was that of Mohamednur Tuccu, 44, whose body was recovered from close to the nearby leisure centre.
He had been reported missing alongside his wife Amalahmedin and his three-year-old daughter after visiting relatives in Grenfell Tower, his employer previously said.
His provisional cause of death was also inhalation of fire fumes.