The lawyer representing the occupant of the flat in which the Grenfell Tower fire started says his client has been left terrified and traumatised by the events of that night, and as a result of lies which were subsequently spread about him.
Rajiv Menon QC said the police were so concerned about the safety of Behailu Kebede, they offered him witness protection.
Mr Menon emphatically denied claims that Mr Kebede had packed a suitcase and fled the building.
Instead, he acted "quickly and instinctively", waking his flatmates and calling 999, but only got through to an operator after several attempts, counsel said.
Mr Menon told the hearing his client then "banged on the doors of the five other flats on the fourth floor. He waited until somebody opened each door and again shouted 'Fire! Fire! Fire!'.
"Having warned all his neighbours on the fourth floor, Mr Kebede returned to flat 16, switched off the main electricity in the hallway and put on some trousers.
"He left his home for the very last time, shutting the front door behind him. All he had on his person were the clothes he was wearing and the mobile phone with which he was calling 999."
He added: "He did not pack a suitcase and leave after raising the alarm, a nasty lie printed in the days after the fire and sadly continue to be peddled nearly a year later."
Counsel begged journalists, who he said had repeatedly contacted Mr Kebede, to leave him alone so that he can rebuild his life.
The inquiry was told that the fourth-floor resident received a call from the police the day following the fire and immediately assisted their inquiries.
Mr Menon said: "He had the most frightening, traumatic and shocking experience of his life. He didn't hesitate."
He continued: "It is important to stand against all the garbage that has been written ... Mr Kebede is a significant witness in the police investigation, not a criminal suspect."
It was suspected the fire had begun in a Hotpoint fridge-freezer in the flat, but Mr Menon said there had been no prior issues and it had not been tampered with.
Appealing directly to inquiry chairman Sir Martin Moore-Bick, he said: "Mr Kebede hopes that, having heard all the evidence, the inquiry will make a clear and unequivocal statement that Mr Kebede as absolutely blameless for the outbreak of the fire, its spread and its fatal consequences.
"This is vitally important ... The inquiry needs to set the record straight. The inquiry needs to change the narrative about Behailu Kebede.
"The inquiry needs to thank Mr Kebede for his prompt effort that he made on the night to contact the fire brigade, raise the alarm and warn his neighbours.
The inquiry is currently hearing openings from the lawyers of core participants at Holborn Bars in central London.
Sir Martin was forced to admonish several people who yelled their approval and then applauded Mr Kebede's lawyer as he spoke on the issue of racial discrimination.
Mr Menon had been supporting calls for the inquiry to consider whether racial or class discrimination played a role in the disaster when he was interrupted.
Sir Martin said: "These proceedings have been conducted with a great deal of dignity and sensitivity and I expect it to continue in that way.
"I'm not willing to tolerate shouting, calling out or anything else from those in the room."
Additional reporting: PA
