Anger and grief remain as UK marks Grenfell fire

The UK government's public inquiry into the Grenfell Tower fire paused for a week as a series of memorials and vigils were held one year on from the tragedy.

Thursday marked 12 months since a blaze that authorities believe was started accidentally by a faulty fridge-freezer in the west London high-rise turned into the most deadly domestic blaze since World War II.

Members of the grieving north Kensington community came together for a 24-hour vigil on the eve of the anniversary, to reflect on the 72 people who died.

At 1:30 am, the names of the victims were read out at St Clements' church. On the anniversary at midday, survivors and the bereaved gathered close to the tower's base to observe a minute's silence.

A community mosaic was unveiled, while wreaths were laid and candles lit. The tower is now covered by white sheeting, with banners featuring the green Grenfell heart and the words "Grenfell forever in our hearts" emblazoned across the four highest floors.

The vigil is part of a series of events that included a nationwide one-minute silence at noon on Thursday.

Ahead of the memorials, the vicar of a church that became a focal point for survivors, Father Alan Everett, told The Guardian newspaper the local community had been "dreading this week. The anniversary has stirred things up for many people. None of us quite knows how we'll feel. There's been some discussion about re-traumatisation".

Anger and impatience for justice mix with raw grief in the west London community and many voiced frustration with politicians and the fire brigade ahead of Thursday's commemorations.

"I don't understand why as a country we're not in uproar, why we're not absolutely telling the government that things need to change now," said Tasha Brade, a local resident and campaigner with Justice4Grenfell, a support group for survivors.

Campaigners want arrests from an ongoing investigation, as well as a ban on the cladding that helped spread the blaze.