Grenfell Tower missing: 'Unique and endearing' siblings feared dead

The head of a charity group attended by two “unique and endearing” siblings missing after the fire today spoke of his heartbreak.

Firdaws and Yayha Kadir, aged 12 and 13, are both members of Solidarity Sports, which helps disadvantaged children, and had gone on trips to the Isle of Wight and PGL holiday camps over the past four years.

The siblings, who lived on the 22nd floor of Grenfell Tower, are feared dead with their father Hashim, mother Noura Jamal, 35, and six-year-old brother Yaqub.

Sean Mendez, 36, who runs the group, said: “They both had unique and endearing personalities. We became an extended family to them, whenever they were with us they were happy and smiling.

“Yahya was a bit of a nervous type but could play the clown when he wanted to. He lived to make people laugh.

“Firdaws was the responsible one, articulate and inquisitive, always trustworthy. They made a really good pair and looked out for each other. The kids are all in pieces, I don’t know what to tell them. You go to school and the chairs where your friend always sat is empty, it will have long-term emotional effect on them for sure.”

Mrs Jamal made several phone calls to friends as flames swept up the side of the building.

In one, she said: “The fire is here, forgive me, I’m dying.”