Overview
There were three 12-year-old victims who lost their lives in the Grenfell Tower fire.
- Jessica Urbano Ramirez was remembered as a loving, kind-hearted, and caring schoolgirl. She died just two weeks before her 13th birthday.
- Firdaws Hashim was an exceptionally intelligent and eloquent girl described as having “the voice of an angel.” She died alongside her entire family.
- Biruk Haftom was known as a pure-hearted and wise boy who lived on the 18th floor and died alongside his mother, Berkti.
Details of the Victims
Jessica Urbano Ramirez sought refuge with other residents on the 23rd floor. She spent 55 minutes on a 999 call with emergency services before the line went silent. Her family has passionately campaigned for justice following her tragic death.
Firdaws Hashim was a talented public speaker. Just three months before the disaster, she won a major debating competition and received a prize from Bill Gates. She was later found on the 22nd floor.
Biruk Haftom was remembered throughout the community for his kindness, wisdom, and infectious laughter. His remains were discovered near the top of the tower alongside his mother.
The stories of all 72 victims are preserved through memorial archives and tributes dedicated to those who lost their lives.
Introduction
Even years after the Grenfell Tower fire, I still find it difficult to read the testimonies and accounts without feeling the immense sadness that surrounded the tragedy. In my experience researching major disasters and public inquiries, few events have exposed so many heartbreaking stories and failures in emergency response.
One of the most emotional stories to emerge from the Grenfell Tower Inquiry involved 12-year-old victim Jessica Urbano Ramirez. Her final 999 call and the evidence presented during the inquiry became powerful reminders of the human cost of the disaster.
The fire, which broke out in June 2017, claimed the lives of 72 people and remains one of the deadliest residential fires in modern British history.
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Who Was Jessica Urbano Ramirez?
Jessica Urbano Ramirez was a caring and much-loved schoolgirl who lived with her family in Grenfell Tower in west London.
She was only 12 years old and would have celebrated her 13th birthday just weeks later.
Friends and relatives remembered her as:
- Loving
- Kind-hearted
- Caring
- Friendly
- Full of life
During the night of the fire, Jessica initially left her flat on the 20th floor. Hoping to escape danger, she moved upward and eventually reached the 23rd floor, where she sought refuge alongside other residents.
Unfortunately, those decisions were made amid confusion, smoke, flames, and conflicting information.
The Final 999 Call That Lasted Nearly an Hour
One aspect of the tragedy that deeply affected many people was Jessica’s final conversation with emergency services.
She spoke with London Fire Brigade control room officer Sarah Russell.
According to transcripts later presented during the Grenfell Tower Inquiry, Jessica repeatedly pleaded:
“Please can you hurry up?”
At one point she begged:
“Can you hurry up please? I’m begging you.”
Throughout the call, the young girl explained that:
- She could see smoke and flames.
- She was struggling to breathe.
- Conditions inside the building were worsening.
- She was frightened and desperately waiting for help.
The call continued for almost an hour before the line eventually became silent.
Reading about those moments, I was struck by the courage shown by a child facing unimaginable circumstances.
Sarah Russell’s Evidence Before the Grenfell Tower Inquiry
The inquiry later heard testimony from Sarah Russell, who had been working as a control room officer for approximately nine months.
She revealed that she had received only one day of training specifically focused on fire survival guidance calls.
According to her testimony, she believed additional experience and support from more senior staff would have been valuable.
She also explained that her words were intended to comfort Jessica.
During the conversation, she advised the schoolgirl to:
- Stay close to the floor.
- Cover her mouth.
- Try to remain safe.
- Wait for firefighters.
Jessica reportedly pressed her face into a pillow while trying to cope with the smoke.
Communication Failures During the Rescue Operation
One of the most significant issues raised during the public inquiry involved communication failures.
Information indicating that Jessica had moved from her original flat was not passed on to firefighters on the ground.
As a result, rescue crews searched her home but found nobody inside.
This misunderstanding had tragic consequences.
The inquiry examined:
- Emergency response procedures.
- Communication breakdowns.
- Fire survival guidance systems.
- Evacuation decisions.
- Operational shortcomings.
These findings became central to understanding how the disaster unfolded.
The “Stay Put” Advice and Why It Became So Controversial
Another major topic examined by investigators was the “stay-put” policy.
Residents had initially been advised to remain inside their flats.
Later, guidance changed and evacuation efforts were encouraged.
However, this transition created confusion.
The inquiry heard that residents often received conflicting advice.
In hindsight, experts and investigators questioned whether the policy gave some people a false sense of security.
This issue remains one of the most debated aspects of the Grenfell disaster.
Richard Millett QC Questioned the Decisions
Counsel to the inquiry, Richard Millett QC, questioned whether telling residents that firefighters were approaching without confirmed information might have unintentionally reassured them too much.
Sarah Russell explained that she expected rescue crews to arrive and that her priority was to comfort frightened callers.
She later described feeling completely helpless.
In her written statement, she explained how difficult it was listening to people who feared they would die while being unable to physically help them.
Those remarks illustrated the emotional burden experienced by emergency operators during the crisis.
Firefighter David Badillo’s Personal Rescue Mission
The inquiry also learned about firefighter David Badillo.
He made it his personal mission to save Jessica.
Without knowing she had moved to a higher floor, Badillo entered her flat.
When he discovered nobody inside and found the door open, he believed she had escaped.
At the time, he was unaware that she had remained on the phone with emergency services.
The evidence highlighted how communication gaps affected rescue efforts.
Other 12-Year-Old Victims Remembered
Jessica Urbano Ramirez was not the only child of that age who died in the disaster.
Firdaws Hashim
Firdaws Hashim was widely admired for her intelligence and speaking ability.
Just months before the tragedy, she won a prestigious debating competition and received a prize from Bill Gates.
People who knew her described her as having “the voice of an angel.”
She died together with her family.
Biruk Haftom
Biruk Haftom lived on the 18th floor with his mother, Berkti.
Friends and neighbours remembered him as:
- Wise beyond his years.
- Extremely polite.
- Pure-hearted.
- Cheerful and full of laughter.
He also lost his life in the fire.
Their stories continue to remind people of the personal tragedies behind the statistics.
Key Lessons From the Grenfell Tower Inquiry
In my experience studying major public inquiries, several lessons emerge from Grenfell.
Better Training Matters
Emergency call handlers require extensive preparation for fire survival guidance situations.
Communication Is Critical
Accurate information must flow quickly between control rooms and firefighters.
Clear Evacuation Plans Save Lives
Residents need simple and consistent guidance during emergencies.
Accountability Promotes Change
Public inquiries play an important role in identifying failures and preventing future disasters.
Why the Story of Jessica Urbano Ramirez Still Matters
Nearly a decade later, Jessica Urbano Ramirez remains one of the most remembered victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Her story represents far more than statistics.
It reflects:
- Courage.
- Compassion.
- Community.
- The importance of justice.
- The need for safer buildings and better emergency procedures.
Families of the victims have continued to campaign for answers and reforms.
Their determination has helped ensure that the memories of those who died are never forgotten.
Conclusion
The Grenfell Tower fire was a national tragedy that claimed 72 lives and changed countless families forever.
Among those victims was 12-year-old Jessica Urbano Ramirez, whose final plea for help became one of the most emotional moments explored during the Grenfell Tower Inquiry.
Alongside Firdaws Hashim and Biruk Haftom, she is remembered not simply as a victim, but as a young person with dreams, talents, and a future that should have been ahead of them.
Looking back on the events of June 2017, I believe the most important lesson is that remembering these stories is essential. Understanding what happened helps ensure that future generations benefit from safer buildings, stronger emergency responses, and a continued commitment to justice.
