Grenfell Tower is among a dozen buildings which have been illuminated to mark a year since the devastating fire which killed 72.

The London Eye, Downing Street and other buildings near to the site of the most deadly domestic blaze since the Second World War turned green in the early hours of Thursday.

June 14 marks 12 months since a small kitchen fire in the west London high-rise took hold, with the buildings lit with green lights from 12.54am – the time of the first 999 call.

A vigil took place at a church near the block with the names of the 72 victims read out at 1.30am.

The display is one of a series of commemorations and vigils taking place this week as the public inquiry takes a step back.

Grenfell Tower victims, where they were found(PA Graphics)

From 11am, there will be a service of remembrance at St Helen’s church organised by campaign group Relative Justice Humanity for Grenfell.

Clarrie Mendy, who lost two family members in the fire and organised the anniversary event, said the names of the 72 victims would be read out, while 73 doves will be released outside the church.

She said: “It’s a service of healing, community, inclusivity and solidarity, to know we are not alone.

“We’ll be releasing 73 white doves. Why 73 instead of 72? One for the unknown. If there were more than 72, we will put one for the unknown.”

They will be giving out 400 white roses which people will able to carry on their way to the tower afterwards.

In addition, a moment of silence will be observed at midday by survivors and bereaved gathered close to the tower’s base and nationally.

A community mosaic is to be unveiled, while wreaths will be laid and candles lit.

The tower is now completely covered by white sheeting, with banners featuring the green Grenfell heart and the words “Grenfell forever in our hearts” emblazoned across the four highest floors.

In the afternoon, the community is expected to congregate at the nearby “Wall of Truth” ahead of the silent march which will set off around 7pm.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn will join survivors, the bereaved and others at the dignified gathering, which has taken place every month since the fire.

Yvette Williams, from campaign group Justice 4 Grenfell, said: “I think we kind of almost move from ‘did it really happen at all?’ to ‘it feels like it happened yesterday’, to looking at the struggles the bereaved families and survivors have had over the year (and realising) that it is actually a year.

“We want the nation to keep Grenfell in their consciousness. The anniversary is about love and support – the fight can start again on Friday and Saturday – and keeping that humanity going on that day.”

Tower block fire in LondonGrenfell Tower illuminated in green along with its surrounding towers (Jonathan Brady/PA)

After the silent march, families will come together for a community Iftar to break bread with those fasting over Ramadan.

The following day, schools across the country are expected to take part in “Green for Grenfell”, a day to “celebrate the spirit of people coming together”.

The bereaved and survivors group Grenfell United hopes the idea will become an annual event which will continue the unity and support demonstrated by the local community after the fire.

This year, children are being asked to wear green to school and help with a community project, sharing their achievements online.

On Thursday and Friday, more than 2,000 schoolchildren across the UK will sing Grenfell From Today – a charity single inspired by Cornwall Hugs Grenfell, an organisation offering holidays to those affected.

The song is also being learned by choirs in New Zealand and America, founder Esme Page said.

It comes as latest figures show that 68 families will spend the anniversary in emergency accommodation, mainly hotels. Some 52 households are in temporary accommodation and 83 families are in permanent homes, Kensington and Chelsea Council said.

The local authority declined to specify the approximate locations of those now in temporary and permanent homes, including how many people are living in or outside the borough.

Elizabeth Campbell, leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said the authority’s thoughts are with bereaved families, victims and the survivors of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

She said: “It will be a difficult day for the community, with poignant moments to remember those that lost their lives a year ago.

“I respect the wishes of the families involved, and the wishes of the community who have organised a series of commemorative events across the area. So I am only attending events I have been invited to.”