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​One Of The Last People To Be Pulled From Grenfell Tower Has Died Seven Months Later

​One Of The Last People To Be Pulled From Grenfell Tower Has Died Seven Months Later

Maria Del Pilar Burton spent months in hospital after she escaped from the 19th floor with her husband Nick during the blaze

Jess Hardiman

Jess Hardiman

One of the last people to be pulled from Grenfell Tower has just died, seven months after the tragic incident that killed scores of others.

Maria Del Pilar Burton - who was known to friends and family as Pily - spent months in hospital after she escaped from the 19th floor with her husband Nick during the blaze.

Nick had been warned by someone he knew from a neighbouring tower block to get out, but he was unable to escape because wife Maria who suffered from a long term illness, and he couldn't carry her down 38 flights of stairs.

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They then listened to the advice from the fire brigade to stay in their flat with a pet dog named Lewis, and remained there until 3.30am - over three hours after the fire started.

By the time firefighters arrived and banged on their door, the building was already engulfed in flames, Nick told the Evening Standard back in July.

"Time passed very slowly," Nick said. "I heard a bang as they kicked in the neighbour's door and then they were shouting to us, 'Put a wet towel over your head, we're coming for you'.

"I stood my wife up, put a towel on her head and one on Lewis's back and opened the door. I couldn't see anybody. Next thing an arm came out of the smoke and grabbed my wife.

"I shouted, 'I've got my dog here as well'.

"Someone said: 'No, let's go.'

"I looked at Lewis. He looked at me. And then an officer's arm came for me and we were off into the blackness."

Pily's husband Nick Burton (
PA)

In the hours that followed, Nick was unable to find her at the hospital he'd been told she was taken to - Chelsea and Westminster Hospital A&E. Eventually, he found out that Pily was actually at the Royal Free in Hampstead with severe burn injuries.

However, despite her miraculous escape, Pily never recovered. She died on 29 January, seven months on from the fire.

It wasn't until this week that Nick made the death of his wife public, Metro reports, and in inviting the wider community to her funeral has said: "Pily was a colourful, flamboyant and loving person who sadly left us on the January 29 and I would encourage you to reflect that in your attire on the day.

"I would like to note that this is an open invitation to everyone and anyone who would like to pay their respects and join myself and my dear family on this significant day."

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, News, Grenfell Tower