World Cup 2018: England stars hold minute’s silence before training in memory of Grenfell Tower fire victims
ENGLAND stars held a minute's silence in training today to remember the victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.
Gareth Southgate's side are out in Russia as they bid for World Cup glory this summer.
But today at their training base in Repino, the squad assembled in a sombre moment to remember the 72 people who lost their lives on that tragic day one year ago.
It is believed to have started on the fourth floor, before it quickly spread through the whole building.
At least 350 people were thought to be inside when the blaze began and some were still trapped hours later.
Desperate residents were heard screaming for help and horrified witnesses said they could see people waving sheets out of the windows, with some jumping from the building.
The blaze was not brought under control until 1.14am on Thursday, June 15, some 24 hours after it started.
Police later confirmed 72 people died in the fire.
Russia are two hours ahead of British Summer Time, with the UK set to observe a minute's silence at midday.
Grenfell is now completely covered by a white sheet with banners featuring the green Grenfell heart and the words "Grenfell forever in our hearts" emblazoned across the four highest floors.
Around the foot of Grenfell Tower, a sound system and giant screen have been erected as preparations continue for a national minute's silence.
Meanwhile England are preparing for their World Cup opener on Monday against Tunisia.
And one player who had to sit out training before the minute silence was Marcus Rashford.
SunSport reported earlier this morning how Rashford picked up a knee injury in an 11-vs-11 training match at St George's Park over the weekend.
And he will not be among Southgate's players to train at Stadium Spartak Zelenogorsk, used for local tournaments but now home to pristine surfaces installed for England's arrival.
Rashford underlined his claims for a starting berth in the Three Lions' World Cupopener against Tunisia with a man-of-the-match display and stunning opener against Costa Rica last week.
Boss Southgate revealed upon landing in Russia on Tuesday that Rashford had sustained a "slight knock".