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London fire: six people confirmed dead after tower block blaze – latest London fire: six confirmed dead, 20 more critical after tower block blaze – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
12.32pm BST
12:32
PM 'deeply saddened'
Number 10 says Theresa May is “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in Grenfell Tower”.
The prime minister has called for a meeting of the civil contingencies secretariat at 4pm.
Number 10 statement on the Grenfell Tower fire: pic.twitter.com/Pbxlmp5ToO
12.29pm BST
12:29
Police and Fire Minister Nick Hurd has expressed his condolences to the families affected and thanks to the emergency services. In a statement, he said:
“My thoughts are with the residents and families of everyone caught up in this dreadful event. London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police have confirmed there have been fatalities and I extend my condolences to their loved ones.
“The search and rescue operation is still going on and I wish to commend the brave actions of firefighters and other emergency responders who arrived at the scene within minutes and have been at the scene throughout the night.
“I should like to stress that this is an ongoing incident and I would urge anyone in the area to stay away from the scene and follow the directions of the emergency services.”
12.26pm BST
12:26
Contractors said refurbishment met fire regulations
Rydon, the contractors who carried out the £9.7m refurbishment of Grenfell Tower, insisted that it met fire and health and safety standards.
In a statement it said:
We are shocked to hear of the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower and our immediate thoughts are with those that have been affected by the incident, their families, relatives and friends.
Rydon completed a refurbishment of the building in the summer of 2016 for KCTMO (Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation) on behalf of the Council, which met all required building control, fire regulation and health & safety standards. We will cooperate with the relevant authorities and emergency services and fully support their enquiries into the causes of this fire at the appropriate time.
Given the ongoing nature of the incident and the tragic events overnight, it would be inappropriate for us to speculate or comment further at this stage.
12.23pm BST
12:23
Holly Watt
Christopher Miers, an architect and the founder of the construction dispute resolution group Probyn Miers, said that he was surprised how fast the Grenfell Tower blaze had spread.
He said that the panels on the outside of the building should not have been able to catch fire, and that fire compartmentation and firebreaks should also have stop the spread of flames. He said:
“Nowadays, in the UK, we don’t use materials with this degree of combustibility. They are sandwich panels which are two sheets of aluminium with a core, and the core can be made of different materials. In other parts of the world, in the Middle East and in China, the core material was still being made of combustible plastic product, but that is no longer permitted and has not been permitted in the UK for a long time. The panels are not likely to have a combustible element to them. It’s much more likely that the firespread is not the panels themselves, but it’s more likely to have spread by other means.”
Miers said Grenfell Tower appeared to have undergone fairly standard renovations: “The exterior of this building was clad in a rainscreen cladding system. What you see on the outside are aluminium composite panels. Behind that there is a void, to allow air to circulate, and behind that again is normally insulation.”
Miers said the renovation would have been carried out to improve the insulation of the building.
“There are very specific regulations which limit the combustibility of the materials. Once a building is over 18m, all the materials in the exterior have to be of limited combustibility. One would expect that we will find that the exterior walling itself is not what we would think of as combustible. Having said that, most materials in intense fires can ultimately can show some degree of burning. Even when we think of material as of limited combustibility, in certain extreme situations, it can still burn.”
12.19pm BST
12:19
Haroon Siddique
Graham Fieldhouse, a fire and safety expert, said “prime facie the cladding has been the cause of the spreading [of the fire] up the building”.
He said this was based on the speed at which the fire spread, which he should not have happened so quickly along concrete. But Fieldhouse said questions also needed to be asked about fire doors and warning systems.
Speaking to BBC News, he said:
“People reported that they came out of their flats minutes after the fire started on the fourth floor and it was already smoke filled ....Were the fire doors working properly?... Is that one reason that caused smoke to get into the means of escape?”
Fieldhouse said the fire should have been contained within the flat where it broke out for half an hour, which would have given people the opportunity to escape.
“There are loads of questions that still need to be answered. It [the fire] should be contained first of all in [the] flat of origin, then the next containment level should be fire doors, all the escape routes, the stairwell ...and if these two things are done then these people have got time to get out if they need to.”
12.15pm BST
12:15
64 people injured, including 20 in critical care
The number of people injured in the fire has increased to 64, including 20 in a critical condition, according to an update from the London Ambulance Service.
Director of Operations Paul Woodrow said:
“Following this morning’s fire at Grenfell Tower, West London, we have treated and taken 64 patients to six hospitals across London, where 20 people are currently in critical care. Our thoughts are with everyone affected.
“Over 100 of our medics have been working hard to respond to this incident, including ambulance crews, advanced paramedics, advanced trauma teams from London’s Air Ambulance and those staff managing the incident in our special operations centre. Our hazardous area response teams are also on scene, who carry specialist equipment including breathing apparatus. We’ve been treating patients for a range of injuries, as well as for smoke inhalation.”
Our latest statement on #GrenfellTower. We have treated & taken 64 patients to 6 hospitals. 20 are in critical care https://t.co/5IZS0JeRW3 pic.twitter.com/Ccd6dsRdpH
12.11pm BST
12:11
Sarah Marsh
Five hospitals in London are receiving patients, including a special burns unit at Chelsea and Westminster.
Guys and St Thomas’ said that it was treating four patients in A&E, one of whom has been admitted.
The Royal Free Hospital published a statement on it’s website saying it was also treating patients. In a statement it said: “Our A&E department is extremely busy and we would urge people to attend only if it is an emergency. Please use your local walk-in centre or GP if possible for all non-emergency issues.”
St Mary’s Hospital is treating 16 patients, 3 of whom are in a critical condition. Charing Cross is treating 4 people, according to the BBC’s Lucy Todd.
St Mary's Hospital is treating 16 patients, 3 of whom are in a critical condition. Charing Cross is treating 4 people - none are critical.
12.07pm BST
12:07
David Collins of the Grenfell Tower residents’ association said residents’ concerns about fire safety had been ignored.
Speaking to BBC News he said:
We repeatedly reported concerns to the tenant management organisation of the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, including fire safety concerns which were not investigated during the regeneration works. Concerns over locations of boilers, concerns about escape, concerns about fire escape lighting, the list goes on. I spoke to councillors and they refused to investigate. They wouldn’t believe that the residents were concerned. 90% of residents signed an independent petition asking for there to be an investigation into the organisation that runs this building because they were so incompetent. And the council turned it down.
David Collins of #GrenfellTower residents association gives a shocking account of the local councils refusal to heed residents safety fears. pic.twitter.com/cC47EWBUer
Updated
at 12.13pm BST
11.56am BST11.56am BST
11:5611:56
The Guardian’s graphics team takes a closer look at what happened at Grenfell Tower in this visual guide.The Guardian’s graphics team takes a closer look at what happened at Grenfell Tower in this visual guide.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.58am BSTat 11.58am BST
11.55am BST11.55am BST
11:5511:55
Julian Redhead, medical director at Imperial College healthcare NHS trust, said the majority of those injured are suffering from smoke inhalation. Julian Redhead, medical director at Imperial College healthcare NHS trust, said the majority of those injured were suffering from smoke inhalation.
He asked members of the public to only attend to the trust’s A&E departments in an emergency.He asked members of the public to only attend to the trust’s A&E departments in an emergency.
Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital has said it is treating four of the 50 people wounded in the fire.Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital has said it is treating four of the 50 people wounded in the fire.
Following the fire in West London this morning, four patients have been treated in A&E at St Thomas’, one of whom has been admitted 1/2Following the fire in West London this morning, four patients have been treated in A&E at St Thomas’, one of whom has been admitted 1/2
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.00pm BST at 12.16pm BST
11.45am BST11.45am BST
11:4511:45
Angus Law, from the Building Research Establishment Centre for Fire Safety Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, says buildings regulations are in place to prevent this kind of fire.Angus Law, from the Building Research Establishment Centre for Fire Safety Engineering at the University of Edinburgh, says buildings regulations are in place to prevent this kind of fire.
In a statement he said:In a statement he said:
Early media reports suggest that this event has similarities with other fires that have occurred recently around the world; it appears that the external cladding has significantly contributed to the spread of fire at Grenfell Tower.Early media reports suggest that this event has similarities with other fires that have occurred recently around the world; it appears that the external cladding has significantly contributed to the spread of fire at Grenfell Tower.
The UK’s regulatory framework for tall residential buildings is intended to prevent the spread of fire between floors and between apartments. If spread of fire does occur, as has happened at Grenfell Tower, the consequences are often catastrophic.The UK’s regulatory framework for tall residential buildings is intended to prevent the spread of fire between floors and between apartments. If spread of fire does occur, as has happened at Grenfell Tower, the consequences are often catastrophic.
The details and causes of what happened at Grenfell Tower will emerge over coming days, weeks and years. The BRE Centre for Fire Safety Engineering at the University of Edinburgh will provide any support and expertise that we can to this ongoing investigation.The details and causes of what happened at Grenfell Tower will emerge over coming days, weeks and years. The BRE Centre for Fire Safety Engineering at the University of Edinburgh will provide any support and expertise that we can to this ongoing investigation.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.49am BSTat 11.49am BST
11.38am BST11.38am BST
11:3811:38
Jamie GriersonJamie Grierson
Paul Littlejohn, friend Justine Bell and dog Rollo, who have been evacuated from Paul's flat in a building next to the tower. pic.twitter.com/JJJOmDOU5fPaul Littlejohn, friend Justine Bell and dog Rollo, who have been evacuated from Paul's flat in a building next to the tower. pic.twitter.com/JJJOmDOU5f
Paul Littlejohn, 41, a Big Issue seller, lives in a smaller block next to Grenfell Tower and said he witnessed “terrible things”.Paul Littlejohn, 41, a Big Issue seller, lives in a smaller block next to Grenfell Tower and said he witnessed “terrible things”.
He said: “There were people sliding down sheets tied together trying to get down from at least the ninth floor. There were windows being blown out, we saw fridges falling.” He said: “There were people sliding down sheets tied together trying to get down from at least the ninth floor. There were windows being blown out. We saw fridges falling.”
Littlejohn, who has lived next to the block for two years, said he grabbed what he could and left home at about 2am with his friend, Justine Bell, who was staying with him, and his dog Rollo.Littlejohn, who has lived next to the block for two years, said he grabbed what he could and left home at about 2am with his friend, Justine Bell, who was staying with him, and his dog Rollo.
The pair loaded Littlejohn’s television, clothing, food and water into a trolley they found and have been wandering the streets since they left.The pair loaded Littlejohn’s television, clothing, food and water into a trolley they found and have been wandering the streets since they left.
He said: “It was horrible. Everyone was so confused, so upset, so distraught. Why did this happen?”He said: “It was horrible. Everyone was so confused, so upset, so distraught. Why did this happen?”
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.47am BST at 12.18pm BST
11.31am BST11.31am BST
11:3111:31
Sarah MarshSarah Marsh
Keith, 42, a former resident at Grenfell Tower said the fire alarms didn’t work properly when he lived there.Keith, 42, a former resident at Grenfell Tower said the fire alarms didn’t work properly when he lived there.
I grew up in Grenfell Tower; it was my home until I joined the army at 16. It was only four years ago that my mum sold her flat there and moved in with my sister. She’s now living up in Watford.I grew up in Grenfell Tower; it was my home until I joined the army at 16. It was only four years ago that my mum sold her flat there and moved in with my sister. She’s now living up in Watford.
When I lived there we’d had a few fires over the year – nothing on a large scale, but the fire alarms did not work properly. If you were in your flat even with the telly off you wouldn’t have heard anything. It was so quiet. After a fire on the sixth floor when we lived there, my mum had asked me to speak to the other leaseholders on her behalf. It was a small fire but afterwards we would try and engage with the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation but nothing changed with them.When I lived there we’d had a few fires over the year – nothing on a large scale, but the fire alarms did not work properly. If you were in your flat even with the telly off you wouldn’t have heard anything. It was so quiet. After a fire on the sixth floor when we lived there, my mum had asked me to speak to the other leaseholders on her behalf. It was a small fire but afterwards we would try and engage with the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation but nothing changed with them.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.37am BSTat 11.37am BST
11.28am BST11.28am BST
11:2811:28
Holly WattHolly Watt
The minutes of a board meeting held in November last year by the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) confirm that during the Grenfell Tower refurbishment, residents were told to “stay put” during a fire.The minutes of a board meeting held in November last year by the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) confirm that during the Grenfell Tower refurbishment, residents were told to “stay put” during a fire.
The minutes also said that “further progress has been made with the installation programme of hard-wired automatic smoke alarms in tenanted dwellings”.The minutes also said that “further progress has been made with the installation programme of hard-wired automatic smoke alarms in tenanted dwellings”.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.29am BSTat 11.29am BST
11.25am BST
11:25
Jamie Grierson
Michael Paramasivan, 37, a builder, lives on the seventh floor of the tower and managed to escape. He lives with two others in the flat who fled with him.
“I’ve lost absolutely everything,” he said. “The most chilling moment was when I suddenly realised it was a fire.
“Between 1am and 1.30am, I was dozing in and out of sleep. I then smelled something. I got up and looked around to see if it was an electrical fault but there was nothing. Then I looked through the spyhole. There was smoke and people running past. We just ran straight out down the stairs.”
Paramasivan said the material on the outside of the building went up in flames rapidly. “It just went up like that,” he said, gesturing wildly. “There’s no fire alarms in the corridors, no sprinklers, nothing. There’s only smoke detectors in the flat and they didn’t go off.”
Updated
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11.23am BST
11:23
Many people have been told to leave their homes in blocks neighbouring Grenfell Tower.
Alice, who lives in Barandon Walk, watched the fire as it spread quickly up the highrise. She said she saw one person jump from the building.
“It started on a corner, but it was one side near the corner, and then it just went up,” she said. “After a few hours, maybe 3am, that’s when people told us to get out. They kind of started slowly blocking the roads.”
Alice said the fire spread at an unbelievable speed. “Things were just falling off, the debris, it was shocking how fast it spread. I think it was new material – it’s just been renovated. There’s been fires there before and that’s never happened.”
Updated
at 11.27am BST
11.21am BST
11:21
Sarah Marsh
At least 50 people injured in the blaze have been taken to five hospitals.
In a statement NHS England said:
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the tragic incident at the Grenfell Tower block in Kensington. Our priority is to continue to work closely with the NHS services involved. We have tried and tested measures in place to manage this but we would also encourage Londoners to use NHS services wisely and seek advice from NHS 111 in the first instance.
It confirmed that the five receiving hospitals are St Mary’s, Chelsea and Westminster, Royal Free, St Thomas’ and King’s College hospital.
Updated
at 11.26am BST
11.19am BST
11:19
Justin Welby, the archbishop of Canterbury, has urged members of the public to donate clothes, food, blankets and toiletries to St Clement’s church, which is offering shelter to people from Grenfell Tower.
We weep & pray for those in West London. Let us all support those affected by donating necessaries to St Clements Church. #GrenfellTower
Updated
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11.18am BST
11:18
Caroline Bannock
Alisha, 25, who lives five minutes away from Grenfell Tower, was out late with her brother to get something to eat, because of Ramadan, when they saw the fire.
She said:
I was there from 1.45am, the fire was getting wild and out of control. There were 50 people there, families that were screaming, especially one family that I was comforting as she had her aunty and her kids on the 23rd floor. The police was standing there telling us to move back and had no information.
The fire trucks and ambulances didn’t come till about 2.15am or 2.30am and we only saw three, though there could have been some around the other side. A car had been left in the middle of the road and nobody knew who the driver was, so the fire engines and ambulances couldn’t get through. People were telling us that there was no fire alarm, people said they were knocking on doors shouting ‘Get out of the house, get out out of the house.’
I was at the front watching debris falling, there were loud explosions. I felt useless, I couldn’t do anything, just watching a building burn and hear people screaming. We tried to comfort people who were crying for their families, we were just telling them it would be all right.
Updated
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11.16am BST
11:16
Six people are confirmed to have died
The Met has confirmed that six people were killed – and the number is expected to rise.
Commander Stuart Cundy said: “Our thoughts are with everyone involved in this truly shocking fire at Grenfell Tower.
“I can confirm six fatalities at this time, but this figure is likely to rise during what will be a complex recovery operation over a number of days. Many others are receiving medical care.”
UPDATE: Six fatalities following the fire in #NorthKensington https://t.co/0kmxhYfOly pic.twitter.com/3Fl9tMzVw7
Updated
at 11.21am BST
11.14am BST
11:14
At Latymer Christian Centre, the team running another makeshift rescue centre say they have been overwhelmed with donations of food, water and clothes. They are now turning people away, asking instead for cash donations.
“What we want is £500,000 to give these people a roof,” said Tim Burke, a community arts organiser in North Kensington who woke up to news of the fire and headed straight out to help.
“There are people there who’ve woken up with their savings and life over.” A fundraising page has been set up. “When all this is finished people need a place to stay,” said Danny Donaldson, wearing a smoke mask, one of several donated by the New Lines tool shop.
At the Christian centre, teams of volunteer doctors and trauma nurses are working with about 50 people. They are asking people who are arriving with donations to head to the Maxilla Club.
“We’re coordinating with the other centres to try and find out what they need but there’s no one on the ground from a professional emergency response level,” he said.
Updated
at 11.22am BST
11.12am BST
11:12
Alan Travis
There are almost 7,000 fewer firefighters in England than five years ago, leading to longer response times and a 25% fall in the number of fire prevention visits, according to the latest Home Office figures published last month.
The reduction in the number of firefighters and staff employed by the fire rescue services to 42,300 has been more than matched by a long-term fall in fire deaths from more than 750 a year in the early 1980s to 264 in 2014-15.
However, the number of fire-related deaths rose to 303 last year – a 15% increase – bringing the downward trend to an end.
The number of uniformed firefighters stood at 34,400 in 2015-16 compared with 41,202 in 2010-11 – a fall of 6,802.
The Home Office figures show that the fire service carried out 581,000 home fire risk checks in 2015-16 - 25% less than five years earlier. The 63,000 fire safety audits of non-domestic premises last year, also down 25% compared with five years ago.
Updated
at 11.15am BST
11.09am BST
11:09
Haroon Siddique
Conservative MP Mike Penning, a former firefighter and fire minister, told BBC News the UK had never seen a fire like this before.
He also said questions needed to be asked about the safety requirements, including in relation to the cladding which he described as “inert”.
He said: “The cladding was clearly spreading the fire … We need to find out what went on.”
Harley Curtain Wall, the firm that provided the cladding for Grenfell went bust after the refurbishment.
Updated
at 11.16am BST
11.05am BST
11:05
The tower is not in danger of collapse, according to an update from the London fire brigade.
Our specialist urban search and rescue crews and a structural engineer have checked the building and said that it is not in danger of collapsing and that it is safe for our crews to be in there.
Fire crews are still in the building. Some have had to use riot shields to protect themselves from falling debris.
Updated
at 11.09am BST