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London fire: 'number of fatalities' as blaze engulfs tower block – latest London fire: fatalities confirmed as blaze engulfs tower block – latest
(35 minutes later)
10.45am BST
10:45
Police and firefighters had to use riot shields to protect themselves from falling debris as they rescued people from the blaze, according to this image from the Evening Standard.
Police under riot shields rescue man covered in ash from #GrenfellTower fire https://t.co/3SpyNs5cBO pic.twitter.com/lbt3sioubz
More than 250 firefighters have been involved.
Absolute Heroes 👏👏👏 #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/cumv9ZqTip
10.40am BST
10:40
A man who escaped from the 17th floor with his aunt said he heard no fire alarms. “The cladding was flammable, it just caught up like a matchstick,” he told Channel 4 News.
This man managed to escape from the 17th floor with his 68-year-old aunt. He told me how he got out #LatimerRoad pic.twitter.com/d4miXigfN3
10.33am BST
10:33
Baby caught after being thrown from window
A baby was caught by a member of the public after being dropped from the burning Grenfell Tower, a witness has said.
Samira Lamrani said she saw a woman try to save a baby by dropping it from a window “on the ninth or 10th floor” to waiting members of the public below.
She told PA:
People were starting to appear at the windows, frantically banging and screaming. The windows were slightly ajar, a woman was gesturing that she was about to throw her baby and if somebody could catch her baby.
Somebody did, a gentleman ran forward and managed to grab the baby.
I could see people from all angles, banging and screaming for help.
Us members of the public were reassuring them, telling them we’ve done what we can and that we’ve phoned 999, but obviously the look on their face was death.
My daughter’s friend said she observed an adult who made some sort of homemade parachute and tried to lower himself out of the window.
The more I looked up, floor upon floor, [there were] endless numbers of people. Mainly the kids, because obviously their voices, with their high pitched voices – that will remain with me for a long time. I could hear them screaming for their lives.
A resident called Zara said she saw a woman throw her son, who was about five, from a fifth or sixth floor window.
She told LBC: “One woman actually threw her son out of the window. I think he’s OK. I think he might have just had some broken bones and bruises.”
She said she thought it was the fifth or even the sixth floor. “There was another woman screaming ‘My baby, my baby, I need to get out, I need to save my baby’. But we were just looking up. We couldn’t do anything. There was nothing we could do.”
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10.29am BST
10:29
Notices reportedly inside Grenfell Tower advised residents to stay put unless there was fire in their flat.
Fire advice inside the block seems to show 'stay put' advice too, which caused fatalities in the 2009 Lakanal blaze: https://t.co/J534zavIzS pic.twitter.com/gcVgYMLOnq
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10.24am BST
10:24
Tony Devenish, Conservative London assembly member for Kensington and Chelsea, has added to calls for answers about questions over safety concerns. In a statement he said:
My heart goes out to all of those caught up in the horrendous blaze at Grenfell Tower overnight, especially to those who lost their lives and lost loved ones.
I’d like to thank the firefighters and emergency services for their tireless work trying to bring the incident under control in what must have been very difficult circumstances.
I have been stunned by the scale and ferocity of the fire and of the heartbreaking stories emerging from the scene.
Rightly, questions are already being asked about the safety measures in place to prevent this kind of tragedy. I am keeping up to date with all of the latest developments and in time I will be seeking answers to these questions.
Updated
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10.19am BST
10:19
Alexandra Topping
The reverend Mark O'Donoghue, area Dean of Kensington on the support being offered at St Clement's church. #GrenfellFire pic.twitter.com/pMWs0D8qmD
The Rev Mark O’Donoghue, area dean of Kensington, has been busy organising volunteers to help the Grenfell Tower evacuees at St Clement’s church. He says:
We’ve had volunteers here with the doors open since 3.30am, receiving people evacuated from their homes because of the tragedy you can see behind you.
We are giving people a shoulder to cry on, a space for them to rest away from the chaos out here, tea and coffee and the Christian compassion you would hope to receive from the church.
St Clement’s has helped about 100-200 people and he put a call out to supermarkets for donations of bedding so they could offer evacuees a roof over their heads tonight.
He said the church had been inundated with offers of help and donations, with food deliveries from Tesco and Whole Foods arriving unbidden. A chef who feeds Stella McCartney’s staff also reached out and will cook lunch for people at the church today, he said.
“It’s London doing what London does best,” he said. “We saw it after the terrible events in London Bridge and we see it again today. When push comes to shove London comes together, it stands together – it’s that Blitz spirit.”
Updated
at 10.39am BST
10.16am BST10.16am BST
10:1610:16
London Mayor Sadiq Khan says there will a “great many questions as to the cause of this tragedy.” Sadiq Khan says there will be a “great many questions as to the cause of this tragedy”.
In a new statement he adds: “I want to reassure Londoners that we will get all these answers”. In a new statement he adds: “I want to reassure Londoners that we will get all these answers.”
I'm truly devastated to see the horrific scenes of major fire at #GrenfellTower in #Kensington. Read my statement https://t.co/DTcxZS33kp pic.twitter.com/SZJuEvyrgLI'm truly devastated to see the horrific scenes of major fire at #GrenfellTower in #Kensington. Read my statement https://t.co/DTcxZS33kp pic.twitter.com/SZJuEvyrgL
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10.14am BST10.14am BST
10:1410:14
Plans and drawings lodged with the local planning department show details of Grenfell Tower and the refurbishment project. One cross section purport to show a single stair access to the upper floors. Plans and drawings lodged with the local planning department show details of Grenfell Tower and the refurbishment project. One cross section purports to show a single stair access to the upper floors.
#Glenfell Tower drawings. Single stairs for 120 flats in 24 floors. Flats started on 4th floor, lower ones added in remodelling. #LondonFire pic.twitter.com/5Gl3JqILlD#Glenfell Tower drawings. Single stairs for 120 flats in 24 floors. Flats started on 4th floor, lower ones added in remodelling. #LondonFire pic.twitter.com/5Gl3JqILlD
Updated
at 10.36am BST
10.06am BST10.06am BST
10:0610:06
Alice RossAlice Ross
At the impromptu rescue centre in the Rugby Portobello youth club, residents, many in their pyjamas, are waiting for news and the next steps.At the impromptu rescue centre in the Rugby Portobello youth club, residents, many in their pyjamas, are waiting for news and the next steps.
Some are in tears, while others seem dazed. A missing person’s register was being passed around.Some are in tears, while others seem dazed. A missing person’s register was being passed around.
Sajad Jamalvatan, a biomechanical engineering student who lives with his mother and sister on the third floor, said he was returning from the cinema at about 1.30am and could see the fire from the station.Sajad Jamalvatan, a biomechanical engineering student who lives with his mother and sister on the third floor, said he was returning from the cinema at about 1.30am and could see the fire from the station.
Police officers wouldn’t allow them near the building. “I could see it wasn’t safe,” he said. “They pushed us back and pushed us back.”Police officers wouldn’t allow them near the building. “I could see it wasn’t safe,” he said. “They pushed us back and pushed us back.”
He believed the fire started on the floor above his flat, and his mother got out very fast. “She smelt the fire and got out of the house. She could see stuff coming from the floor above her so she was panicking.”He believed the fire started on the floor above his flat, and his mother got out very fast. “She smelt the fire and got out of the house. She could see stuff coming from the floor above her so she was panicking.”
She left with only her passport and Jamalvatan’s sister’s passport.She left with only her passport and Jamalvatan’s sister’s passport.
Like several other residents of Grenfell Tower, he told the Guardian: “There were no fire alarms at all.”Like several other residents of Grenfell Tower, he told the Guardian: “There were no fire alarms at all.”
Jamalvatan said he witnessed someone jump from the 17th or 18th floor at between 2.30 and 3.30am. Jamalvatan said he saw someone jump from the 17th or 18th floor between 2.30am and 3.30am.
He added that the fire appeared to spread quickly up the cladding, which he described as “plastic” and which may be PVC, on the outside of the building. He added that the fire appeared to spread quickly up the cladding, which he described as plastic and which may be PVC, on the outside of the building.
“The fire hit the outside of the building... and as soon as it did that it went straight up,” he said. “The fire hit the outside of the building … and as soon as it did that it went straight up,” he said.
Another eyewitness from a neighbouring building, who asked not to be named, said: “If you had been here at 1.30 you would see it spreading rapidly... I’ve never seen a fire spread as quickly like that.” Another witness from a neighbouring building, who asked not to be named, said: “If you had been here at 1.30 you would see it spreading rapidly … I’ve never seen a fire spread as quickly like that.”
A man who gave his name only as Taz said he lives in the block immediately below Grenfell Tower. “I heard screaming and shouting and looked out of my window,” he said. “You could see kids waving from the windows. You could hear, mummy, daddy... I just ran down the street. The police were telling us the block’s going to collapse.” A man who gave his name only as Taz said he lives in the block immediately below Grenfell Tower. “I heard screaming and shouting and looked out of my window,” he said. “You could see kids waving from the windows. You could hear, ‘Mummy, daddy’ … I just ran down the street. The police were telling us the block’s going to collapse.”
People were crying outside for their family,” he added. “It wasn’t a good sight to see.”People were crying outside for their family,” he added. “It wasn’t a good sight to see.”
His uncle, Abdul Wahabi, lives on the 18th floor and hadn’t been heard from. “My uncle’s still stuck up there,” he said. “We haven’t heard anything from him. We’re still waiting.”His uncle, Abdul Wahabi, lives on the 18th floor and hadn’t been heard from. “My uncle’s still stuck up there,” he said. “We haven’t heard anything from him. We’re still waiting.”
Taz added that the only immediate support was being organised by the local community. “I don’t see any local authorities, I don’t see the council,” he said. “It’s just local people getting together helping each other out. Some people have lost their homes.”Taz added that the only immediate support was being organised by the local community. “I don’t see any local authorities, I don’t see the council,” he said. “It’s just local people getting together helping each other out. Some people have lost their homes.”
Updated
at 10.27am BST
10.00am BST10.00am BST
10:0010:00
A team of British Red Cross volunteers are supporting residents at a nearby rest centre.A team of British Red Cross volunteers are supporting residents at a nearby rest centre.
Jon Pewtner, senior emergency response officer for the British Red Cross said: “The atmosphere here is tense – people are worried about loved ones and many are coming to the realisation that they have lost their homes.Jon Pewtner, senior emergency response officer for the British Red Cross said: “The atmosphere here is tense – people are worried about loved ones and many are coming to the realisation that they have lost their homes.
“The community is rallying round, with residents collecting food, drink and clothes, and everyone is asking each other if they can help, or if they need food. There is a good, strong community spirit.”“The community is rallying round, with residents collecting food, drink and clothes, and everyone is asking each other if they can help, or if they need food. There is a good, strong community spirit.”
Organisations have been offering shelter to residents. Latymer upper school said: “Partner schools and organisations contact @LatymerUpper and we will help with premises if we can.”Organisations have been offering shelter to residents. Latymer upper school said: “Partner schools and organisations contact @LatymerUpper and we will help with premises if we can.”
Terrible news re. fire on Latimer Road. Partner schools and organisations contact @LatymerUpper and we will help with premises if we canTerrible news re. fire on Latimer Road. Partner schools and organisations contact @LatymerUpper and we will help with premises if we can
The Al-Manaar centre has also been opened and used as a temporary shelter for those affected.The Al-Manaar centre has also been opened and used as a temporary shelter for those affected.
pic.twitter.com/8cUAqVXNUCpic.twitter.com/8cUAqVXNUC
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.13am BSTat 10.13am BST
9.56am BST9.56am BST
09:5609:56
Two residents from Grenfell Tower have been in touch to say they are safely on holiday. They did not give their names but gave an address in the tower and their ages as 44 and 54. They claim the council was told about fire concerns.Two residents from Grenfell Tower have been in touch to say they are safely on holiday. They did not give their names but gave an address in the tower and their ages as 44 and 54. They claim the council was told about fire concerns.
We are alive and well, but not able to report ourselves as alive because the emergency phone number is very slow, and the town hall number is also constantly busy. During the refurbishments we already knew that a disaster like this could happen any time, but corruption thrives at an alarming level in K&C. It’s all about whitewashing money through ‘projects’ at the cost of people’s lives. We are abroad on holidays, lucky escape.We are alive and well, but not able to report ourselves as alive because the emergency phone number is very slow, and the town hall number is also constantly busy. During the refurbishments we already knew that a disaster like this could happen any time, but corruption thrives at an alarming level in K&C. It’s all about whitewashing money through ‘projects’ at the cost of people’s lives. We are abroad on holidays, lucky escape.
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.09am BSTat 10.09am BST
9.52am BST9.52am BST
09:5209:52
Here’s an aerial view of the fire at dawn.Here’s an aerial view of the fire at dawn.
9.45am BST9.45am BST
09:4509:45
Cotton can’t give any details on the number of victims. She says fire crews are making steady progress up the building. She says they have reached the 21st floor.Cotton can’t give any details on the number of victims. She says fire crews are making steady progress up the building. She says they have reached the 21st floor.
She would not answer questions about the safety concerns of residents before the blaze.She would not answer questions about the safety concerns of residents before the blaze.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.48am BSTat 9.48am BST
9.43am BST9.43am BST
09:4309:43
Fire commissioner Dany Cotton is giving another statement.Fire commissioner Dany Cotton is giving another statement.
She says a structural engineer is monitoring the safety of the building. It remains safe for fire crews to enter, she says. She can’t speculate on the cause because of the “dynamic nature” of the incident.She says a structural engineer is monitoring the safety of the building. It remains safe for fire crews to enter, she says. She can’t speculate on the cause because of the “dynamic nature” of the incident.
Paul Woodrow, from the London ambulance service, says 100 medics are working at the scene. He confirms that 50 people have been taken to hospital.Paul Woodrow, from the London ambulance service, says 100 medics are working at the scene. He confirms that 50 people have been taken to hospital.
Stuart Cundy, of the Met, urges people to keep away from the area. He says people should call 0800 0961 233 if they have concerns about people in the area.Stuart Cundy, of the Met, urges people to keep away from the area. He says people should call 0800 0961 233 if they have concerns about people in the area.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.47am BSTat 9.47am BST
9.37am BST9.37am BST
09:3709:37
Damien GayleDamien Gayle
The #GrenfellTower missing persons centre on Freston Rd #grenfellfire pic.twitter.com/qWi5KIjLGCThe #GrenfellTower missing persons centre on Freston Rd #grenfellfire pic.twitter.com/qWi5KIjLGC
Francis Dean, from Middlesex, was at the missing persons centre on Freston Road looking for his sister Zainab Deen, who was with her two-year-old son in her flat in Grenfell Tower last night.Francis Dean, from Middlesex, was at the missing persons centre on Freston Road looking for his sister Zainab Deen, who was with her two-year-old son in her flat in Grenfell Tower last night.
She called me around about half past one, going two, saying that there was a fire, so I had to drive back here. I was on the phone to her, she was on the 14th floor. She came out of the flat and they told her to stay, but because that flat was on fire she went into the next flat, 113. She was in 115.She called me around about half past one, going two, saying that there was a fire, so I had to drive back here. I was on the phone to her, she was on the 14th floor. She came out of the flat and they told her to stay, but because that flat was on fire she went into the next flat, 113. She was in 115.
I was telling her to use the stairs. She was a bit frightened, a bit afraid. But the firefighters were telling her to go back in.I was telling her to use the stairs. She was a bit frightened, a bit afraid. But the firefighters were telling her to go back in.
Their response was too slow; and besides the building burned too fast. This is a new building, when she got the flat they were still renovating it. I don’t think it’s been two years yet, and now fire. Somebody’s got to be held accountable for this.Their response was too slow; and besides the building burned too fast. This is a new building, when she got the flat they were still renovating it. I don’t think it’s been two years yet, and now fire. Somebody’s got to be held accountable for this.
It’s not looking good because I was chatting to her about 4am and she was trapped and there was smoke. At one point the son collapsed because of the smoke and I told her: you have to give him mouth to mouth.It’s not looking good because I was chatting to her about 4am and she was trapped and there was smoke. At one point the son collapsed because of the smoke and I told her: you have to give him mouth to mouth.
Dean has not spoken to his sister since and is still looking for her. Staff at Freston Road told him to move on to a rescue centre at the Rugby Portobello Trust.Dean has not spoken to his sister since and is still looking for her. Staff at Freston Road told him to move on to a rescue centre at the Rugby Portobello Trust.
A woman said she had come with her son to look for his friend. From her home in Kingsnorth House, opposite Grenfell Tower, she had watched the fire as it developed through the night. “I was just praying that my friends and families that I know are out of there,” she said. “I heard the screams.”A woman said she had come with her son to look for his friend. From her home in Kingsnorth House, opposite Grenfell Tower, she had watched the fire as it developed through the night. “I was just praying that my friends and families that I know are out of there,” she said. “I heard the screams.”
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at 9.43am BSTat 9.43am BST
9.31am BST9.31am BST
09:3109:31
Alexandra ToppingAlexandra Topping
At St Clement’s church on Sirdar Road some of those who had been evacuated stood on the street in shock as helicopters hovered overhead.At St Clement’s church on Sirdar Road some of those who had been evacuated stood on the street in shock as helicopters hovered overhead.
I spoke to Mahmoud, a 25-year-old refugee from Syria who had come to the UK seeking safety. He lived in Grenfall Tower and was waiting for news of his friend Mohammed, whom he last spoke to at 3.30am when he was still trapped in the flat next to the one they shared, desperately trying to escape.I spoke to Mahmoud, a 25-year-old refugee from Syria who had come to the UK seeking safety. He lived in Grenfall Tower and was waiting for news of his friend Mohammed, whom he last spoke to at 3.30am when he was still trapped in the flat next to the one they shared, desperately trying to escape.
Mahmoud said he lives with two brothers, Mohammed, 24, andOmar, 25, who is in hospital.Mahmoud said he lives with two brothers, Mohammed, 24, andOmar, 25, who is in hospital.
Mahmoud had been working and was out when his friend called him to say the tower was on fire.Mahmoud had been working and was out when his friend called him to say the tower was on fire.
When Mahmoud, who lives on the 14th floor with the brothers, got back the fire was small and not on their side of the building, but he watched as it grew and wrapped around the tower.When Mahmoud, who lives on the 14th floor with the brothers, got back the fire was small and not on their side of the building, but he watched as it grew and wrapped around the tower.
I spoke to my friend at about 3.30am. He was saying, ‘Help me.’ My friend who escaped went to one flat and he went to another. They lost each other. I have been friends with them since I was six years old, I don’t know what to do. I am waiting. I hope he is alive. I last spoke to [Mohammed] at 3.30am. He was saying, ‘Please help me. Please tell my family I love them.’ He sounded very scared.I spoke to my friend at about 3.30am. He was saying, ‘Help me.’ My friend who escaped went to one flat and he went to another. They lost each other. I have been friends with them since I was six years old, I don’t know what to do. I am waiting. I hope he is alive. I last spoke to [Mohammed] at 3.30am. He was saying, ‘Please help me. Please tell my family I love them.’ He sounded very scared.
The last time Mahmoud spoke to Mohammed he believes he was in the next-door flat with two adults and a baby. Mahmoud said he last saw his friend Omar, who was on the phone to his trapped brother, at Latimer Road station.The last time Mahmoud spoke to Mohammed he believes he was in the next-door flat with two adults and a baby. Mahmoud said he last saw his friend Omar, who was on the phone to his trapped brother, at Latimer Road station.
“He was talking to his brother on the phone. He was saying, ‘Go downstairs. Don’t listen to anyone, go downstairs.’ I think he was waiting for the firemen to get to him.“He was talking to his brother on the phone. He was saying, ‘Go downstairs. Don’t listen to anyone, go downstairs.’ I think he was waiting for the firemen to get to him.
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at 9.57am BSTat 9.57am BST
9.23am BST9.23am BST
09:2309:23
London mayor: questions need to be answered about fire adviceLondon mayor: questions need to be answered about fire advice
London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said questions needed to be answered about the fire advice given to residents.London’s mayor, Sadiq Khan, said questions needed to be answered about the fire advice given to residents.
Asked on Radio 4’s Today programme about advice to residents to stay inside their flats in the event of a fire (see earlier) Khan said: “Thankfully residents didn’t stay in their flats and fled to safety.Asked on Radio 4’s Today programme about advice to residents to stay inside their flats in the event of a fire (see earlier) Khan said: “Thankfully residents didn’t stay in their flats and fled to safety.
“One of the concerns that we have is it’s a 24-storey building but for obvious reasons, with the scale of the fire, our experts weren’t able to reach all the way to the top, so of course these are questions that need to be answered as soon as possible.”“One of the concerns that we have is it’s a 24-storey building but for obvious reasons, with the scale of the fire, our experts weren’t able to reach all the way to the top, so of course these are questions that need to be answered as soon as possible.”
He added: “It’s very distressing, not just for those of us watching as lay people, but also very distressing for the emergency services.He added: “It’s very distressing, not just for those of us watching as lay people, but also very distressing for the emergency services.
“We declared a major incident very early, which meant not just the fire service but also the London ambulance service, the police and the others were involved at the scene.”“We declared a major incident very early, which meant not just the fire service but also the London ambulance service, the police and the others were involved at the scene.”
More than 100 police officers were on scene, alongside 100 medics and 250 firefighters, he said.More than 100 police officers were on scene, alongside 100 medics and 250 firefighters, he said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.29am BSTat 9.29am BST