One of the youngest victims of Grenfell Tower fire died after choking on fumes

One of the youngest victims of the Grenfell Tower tragedy choked to death on fumes from the fire, an inquest heard.

Westminster Coroner’s Court was told how five-year-old Isaac Paulos, who lived with family on the 18th floor, died from ‘inhalation of fire fumes’.

The child had vanished in dense smoke as his family attempted to escape the blaze.

The inquests of four victims killed in the fire, including Isaac and MP David Lammy’s friend Khadija Saye, were opened and adjourned today.

Eighteen of at least 79 victims have been formally identified so far.

Westminster coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox told the court how Isaac’s body was found in the lobby of the 13th floor along with that of Mary Ajaoi Augustus Mendy, also known as Cissy Mendy, 54.

Mrs Mendy had lived on the 20th floor along with artist Khadija Saye, 24, a friend of David Lammy MP.

Both Isaac and Mrs Mendy died from breathing in fire fumes and both had to be identified from their dental records.

Ms Saye was found in a hallway of the 9th floor and had died from breathing in fire fumes and burns, the court heard. She was identified by her fingerprints.

Before it was confirmed Isaac had died in the tragedy, his mother Genet Shawo  told the Evening Standard of her last moments with her son

She said: ‘He told us during the fire that he didn’t want us to die.

‘I was helping my neighbour to put towels on his children, and started helping them down. I had put a wet towel already on Isaac.

My neighbour said he had lost hold of him inside and couldn’t find him. It was so dark, you couldn’t see anything in the smoke.’

The fourth victim to be identified at the inquest was Mohamednur Tuccu, 44.

Mr Tuccu, his wife Amalahmedin and his three-year-old daughter had been visiting relatives when the fire broke out.

He was found opposite the entrance to Kensington Leisure Centre and was identified by his dental records.

Mrs Tuccu and the couple’s daughter remain missing.

Dr Wilcox, who has already opened inquests into five other victims of the tragedy, gave her condolences to the members of each victim’s family.

She told the court: ‘I have now formally identified 18 people who have died in this tower block and this tragic fire incident.

‘There are many outstanding identifications still to come.

It cannot be really explained in detail enough just how complex an investigation this is in terms of identification, in terms of recovery of the bodies from the dangerous site which still cannot be entered because the building is being shored up.

Dr Wilcox added: ‘I’m hoping to establish a rhythm for these openings to occur as evidence is gathered.