Hero dad got separated from daughter, 12, fleeing Grenfell Tower block inferno and went back to save her
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A hero dad who got separated from his 12-year-old daughter while fleeing the Grenfell Tower block inferno went back in to save her.
Marcio Gomes, 38, and his family were on the 21st floor but were told to 'stay put' by fire service operators after being woken by the blaze at 2.30am.
Frightened neighbours came to his door believing it was safer because his flat was on the other side of the building from the flames.
But it soon became apparent the blaze was engulfing the building and it was time to leave.
Mr Gomes led his pregnant wife Andreia, eldest daughter Luana and her half sister Megan, 10, down the narrow stairwell.
(Photo: Facebook)
(Photo: BBC)
It was filled with black smoke so thick they couldn't see each other, and at times they found themselves stumbling over the bodies of those who didn't make it
The family made it to the safety of the lower levels but then made a sickening realisation - Luana was gone.
Distraught Mr Gomes, a teaching inspector, charged back in and led fire crews to back up the stairwells to where Luana had collapsed halfway down.
He told The sun: "She had stopped.
"She couldn’t move any more and had fallen unconscious."
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(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
The whole family has been treated in hospital for smoke inhalation.
Friends hailed Mr Gomes' instinctive bravery.
Pal Neil Payne launched a GoFundMe to help the family who believe they have lost all their possessions in the blaze.
He wrote: "Luckily our hero Marcio managed to get them all out although they are in hospital but stable.
"They have lost everything and I am setting this up so that we can all help in a small way to rebuild their lives."
(Photo: EPA)
(Photo: AFP)
Sadly many others did not escape the horror fire which engulfed the block of 120 flats in west London.
More than 200 firefighters have battled the blaze for 24 hours.
Twelve bodies have been recovered so far, but that number is expected to rise significantly.
To donate to the family’s GoFundMe page visit
www.gofundme.com/marcio-gomesand-andreia-perestrelo