Yesterday a fire ripped through the top four floors of a block of flats on the Cambridge Estate, Kingston upon Thames. People appeared from houses and flats, from their cars and gardens, all drawn by the smoke and fire, by the drama, by the desire to see something shocking and fearsome. Something that would be talked about for years. Talked about in the pubs and on the TV.
I heard a story of a photographer who was close to the scene of 9/11 and refused to take photographs. I thought about him as I got my camera out of my bag, should I? Is it wrong? I felt it was, so hesitated. Many were snapping away with their mobile phones, it assuaged my guilt. If I had seen a body or a sign of distress I would not have taken a single shot, then rumours spread that everyone was out (after I had taken a few photographs).
I was fascinated by what looked like a moving, changing painting in the skies. The dramatic black clouds darkening the sun's light, the spears of orange flames (like a crown on top of the towering building) and the people, people everywhere scuttling out to have a look (like me), the pull of horror. No one could take their eyes off it. Scores were filming it, taking photographs of it, pointing at it. People brought together at a time of crisis, of tension, of fear - I talked to people I would never normally see or talk to, a need to share the experience or talk it out of my system, I am not sure what it was but others were doing it too. A boy on a bike raced around telling everyone the building was about to collapse. Another man said he wouldn't have to go into work the next day because of it. Rumours spread of petrol bombs or drug gangs. A baby had been saved (which turned out to be true). A policeman ran towards the fire with two bottle of mineral water, he was told the water wouldn't do much good by a man near me (and by many I imagine).
Later i offered to help in the community hall but no help was neeeded. Tenants would be staying with friends and relatives, those without somewhere to go would be looked after. I was thanked for offering. It had come so naturally, the desire to help others in need, in shock, vulnerable.
