Funeral held for baby stillborn after Grenfell tower fire
The baby was born two months early after his mother was forced to flee Grenfell tower with her family.
Wednesday 19 July 2017 12:47, UK
A funeral has been held for a baby who was stillborn after his mother escaped from the Grenfell tower fire.
Andreia Gomes was seven months pregnant when she was forced to flee her home on the 21st floor of the tower.
Together with her husband Marcio and their two daughters she descended through the smoke-filled staircase of the tower.
Mr Gomes told the Sunday Telegraph his wife gave birth to a stillborn child as she lay unconscious in the hours after they escaped from the tower.
He said doctors said the baby's heartbeat had stopped beating and needed to be delivered so his wife would not contract an infection.
Mr Gomes told the paper it was a "very traumatic time".
The baby is thought to be the youngest victim of the disaster which claimed at least 80 lives.
A funeral for the child, who the family had already decided to name Logan Issac, was attended by family and friends on Wednesday morning.
The service was held at Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery in Kensal Green, north-west London.
Before the funeral a spokeswoman for the Diocese of Westminster revealed the theme of the homily delivered by Father Gerard Skinner during the Requiem Mass.
"He said he would talk about how, as parents, they expected to take care of Logan, but now he is in heaven taking care of them," she said.
The hearse set off from a funeral directors near to the charred remains of the tower, arriving at the cemetery just before 10am.
The vehicles were covered with flowers, including two teddy bears made out of chrysanthemums and the name Logan spelled out in white chrysanthemums and roses on one side.
The diocese's spokeswoman said she believed the chapel was full for the service.