Grenfell Tower: Grieving relatives pay tribute to father and his 12-year-old daughter named as latest victims of blaze

Grenfell victims: father and daughter Hashim Kedir, 44, and Firdows Hashim, 12,
PA
Chloe Chaplain4 August 2017

Relatives have paid tribute to a "role model" father and his daughter who had "the voice of an angel" after they were named as victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Hashim Kedir, 44, and Firdows Hashim, 12, were both identified using DNA.

An inquest court was told on Friday that they were found on the 22nd floor and the causes of both deaths were "consistent with the effects of fire".

Mr Kedir's sisters and nieces said in a statement via the Met that he was "everybody's favourite in the family".

Role model: Hashim Kedir

They said: "You used to make friends so easily; age, gender, religion, ethnicity or social status didn't matter. One can tell the kind of person you were from the diversity of people that are crying over your death."

His daughter, Firdows, was described as "the most intelligent, wise and eloquent girl" with "the voice of an angel".

"It still blows my mind how talented you were. I remember the first time I heard you sing," said a cousin, "You were so confident and articulate, it sounded as if you were reading from a book."

'Angel': Firdows Hashim, 12,

Another young victim named on Friday was an 11-year-old girl, who died with her family and was identified by her dental records.

Westminster Coroner's Court was told that Fatima Choucair was found on the 22nd floor of the tower block.

Previous hearings have been told that her parents Bassem Choucair, 40, and Nadia Choucair, 33, as well as her 13-year-old sister Mierna and 60-year-old grandmother Sirria, were also recovered from the 22nd floor.

Grenfell Tower: Around 80 people are believed to have been killed when the tower block went up in flames 
Getty Images

The court was told that the little girl's death was "consistent with the effects of fire".

Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox told the hearing that "identifications are becoming increasingly difficult".

Inquests have now been opened and adjourned for 48 victims, but police have said at least 80 people are thought to have died.

A translator sat with one family as Friday's hearing was held. The victims' relatives were quiet as causes of death were read out, and several shook hands after proceedings.

Fire: The speed at which the blaze spread was 'unexpected'  
Jeremy Selwyn

Senior investigating officer Matt Bonner also told the court that emergency services had been called to the fire at 0.55am on June 14 and that the "speed and spread of the fire was unexpected".

"There is no evidence to indicate that the fire was started deliberately," he said.

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