Royals join bereaved families in London tower fire memorial

Britain's royals and Prime Minister Theresa May joined survivors and families of those who died in London's Grenfell Tower fire for a memorial service Thursday for the 71 people killed in the June blaze.

Britain's Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge arrives for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Thursday Dec. 14, 2017. (Gareth Fuller/Pool Photo via AP)

Prince Charles, his wife Camilla, Prince Harry, Prince William and his wife Kate joined some 1,500 people at the multi-faith service at St. Paul's Cathedral, held exactly six months after the June 14 fire that engulfed a residential tower block in west London.

Britain's Prince William, right, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Thursday Dec. 14, 2017. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge arrives for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Thursday Dec. 14, 2017. (Gareth Fuller/Pool Photo via AP)

Britain's Prince William, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry arrive for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Thursday Dec. 14, 2017. (Gareth Fuller/Pool Photo via AP)

Emma Dent Coad, a Labour lawmaker for the neighborhood, said "emotions are still very raw" and the service was a "recognition that people from all walks of government are going to come down and grieve with them."

Front row left to right, Prince Harry, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall and Prince Charles attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral, in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Thursday Dec. 14, 2017. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)

As they filed out of the service, many of the bereaved paused on the steps of St. Paul's to comfort each other. Some held aloft photos of their loved ones and clutched white roses.

Britain's Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William attend the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral, in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Thursday Dec. 14, 2017. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)

In all, 71 people including a stillborn baby died in the fire, which started in a refrigerator in one apartment before racing through the 24-story tower, home to a largely immigrant and working-class population.

Britain's Prince Harry, Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William arrive for the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral, in London, to mark the six month anniversary of the Grenfell Tower fire, Thursday Dec. 14, 2017. (Stefan Rousseau/Pool Photo via AP)

The disaster shocked Britain and raised many questions about the country's rich-poor divide, not least because it took place at a publicly owned tower block in Kensington and Chelsea, one of London's — and Britain's — richest boroughs. Many residents are angry at authorities for ignoring their safety concerns, which were raised months before the fire.

People comfort each other as they leave the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral, in London, Thursday Dec. 14, 2017.  (Gareth Fuller/Pool Photo via AP)

London police are conducting a criminal inquiry and are looking at possible manslaughter charges on both a "corporate or individual level," but no one has yet been charged.

The high death toll at Grenfell has also spurred U.S. fire safety groups to re-examine fire-prevention methods.

People leave the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral, in London, Thursday Dec. 14, 2017. (Gareth Fuller/Pool Photo via AP)

Rev. Graham Tomlin, the Bishop of Kensington, said he hoped the service Thursday would reassure those present that they were not forgotten by the nation.

People hold up photos of their loved ones, victims of the fire, as they leave the Grenfell Tower National Memorial Service at St Paul's Cathedral, in London, Thursday Dec. 14, 2017.(Gareth Fuller/Pool Photo via AP)

"As we come to the end of this difficult year, as we celebrate Christmas ... nothing can remove the memory of that night," he said. "And yet my hope and prayer is that this new year can bring new hope of a future."

LONDON (AP) — Most residents living near a scenic fishing village in southwestern England where a parasite in the water sickened more than 45 people were told Saturday that they could safely drink the water again.

South West Water said it lifted its boil notice for most of the 17,000 homes and businesses around the Brixham area of Devon that had been affected after cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, was found in the water.

At least 46 cases of cryptosporidiosis were confirmed and more than 100 other people reported similar symptoms, the U.K. Health Security Agency said. Symptoms can last more than two weeks.

The water company said it consulted with public health officials before lifting the boil warning for all but about 2,500 customers after rigorous testing showed the water was safe for most of the area.

“This situation has caused an immense amount of disruption, distress and anxiety. We are truly sorry this has happened," water company spokesperson Laura Flowerdew said. “The public rightly expect a safe, clean and reliable source of drinking water and on this occasion we have fallen significantly short of expectations."

The outbreak announced Wednesday was unrelated to Britain’s larger ongoing water woes but emblematic of an aging system in distress.

Water companies have been under fire for more than a year to stop frequent sewage overflows into rivers and oceans that have literally caused a stink, sickened swimmers, polluted fishing streams and led to an outcry from the public to clean up their act.

South West Water is facing charges in Plymouth Magistrates’ Court alleging 30 offenses for illegal water discharges or breaches of environmental permits between 2015 and 2021, the Environment Agency said.

Flowerdew on Friday said the outbreak may have come from a damaged air valve in a pipe that runs through a field where cows graze that is close to a reservoir.

A primary school was forced to close Thursday because it didn't have clean drinking water. The water company said it provided 386,000 water bottles to its customers.

People collect bottled water at Broadsands Car Park in Paignton, England, Friday May 17, 2024. Most residents living near a scenic fishing village in southwestern England where a parasite in the water sickened more than 45 people were told Saturday, May 18, 2024, that they could safely drink the water again. South West Water said it lifted its boil notice for most of the 17,000 homes and businesses around the Brixham area of Devon that had been affected after cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, was found in the water. (Ben Birchall/PA via AP)

A general view of Brixham Harbour, in Brixham, Devon, Friday May 17, 2024. Most residents living near a scenic fishing village in southwestern England where a parasite in the water sickened more than 45 people were told Saturday, May 18, 2024, that they could safely drink the water again. South West Water said it lifted its boil notice for most of the 17,000 homes and businesses around the Brixham area of Devon that had been affected after cryptosporidium, a microscopic parasite that causes diarrhea, was found in the water. (Piers Mucklejohn/PA via AP)