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London fire: six confirmed dead, 20 more critical after tower block blaze – latest updates London fire: six confirmed dead, 20 more critical after tower block blaze – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
1.09pm BST
13:09
Holly Watt
According to the annual accounts of Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO), the group has focused on developing new homes from unused spaces across the borough.
The most recent accounts stated that the £10m Grenfell Tower refurbishment had created new accommodation from “unused spaces” in the building. This created nine “much needed new homes, all providing a good level of accessibility for disabled people.”
KCTMO took over the management of the homes of tenants and leaseholders from Kensington and Chelsea council in April 1996.
1.08pm BST
13:08
Alexandra Topping
Throughout the morning at St Clement’s church, evacuated residents ofGrenfell Tower and surrounding buildings gathered, many in tears. Somehugged and clung onto each other, others huddled in silence and shock.Amanda Fernandez, 31, who runs local art organisation FerArts, wasnervously waiting for news of numerous friends who lived in GrenfellTower.
I went to primary school just here, I probably know someone
living on each floor, some I probably know everyone on the floor. This is a very very tight community, people have been here for generations - it’s tragic.
Fernandez, who lives on nearby Barandon walk, said she heard sirensaround midnight. Told by her mother that there was a fire, she rushedto the scene as her cousins live in a building at the base of thetower and got there about 12.45am. She managed to contact them and theyand their children had run out of the house wearing only the clotheson their backs.
At that point it looked like there was a string of fire along the stairwell, at that point it looked containable we thought. We were just watching, thinking ‘someone is going to stop it soon’. There’s been fires in that tower before but it’s never escalated like that before. There are these new panels on it, I don’t know what they were made of but it smelt like plastic.
When [the fire] got outside [the building, it] was literally so rapid, like when a hair catches fire. First one side went, then another. Then you are just counting the floors, you can see people hanging out of the windows. And the screams, the constant screams.
Amanda Fernandez, 31: "First one side went, then another[..] you can see people hanging out of windows. And the screams, constant screams." pic.twitter.com/7Qv2M9r9tt
Saimir Iieshi, 39, a painter and decorator came to the UK as a refugeefrom Albania in 1997 and also lives on Barandon Walk. He watched inhorror from his balcony as the tower went up in flames, telling histwo sons to go inside.
I didn’t want them to see what I saw. I said there had been a fire but the police had evacuated everybody. I tried to protect them but they could hear the people.
I could hear people shouting: ‘Please, I have got kids, please save my kids’. It makes you feel useless. You hear that, you have children and it makes you feel so weak, it makes you feel like nothing.
1.06pm BST
13:06
Haroon Siddique
The London fire commissioner, Dany Cotton, said, thankfully, firefighters, have suffered only “minor injuries”.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan cautioned against jumping to conclusions about the cause of the fire but added:
If there are mistakes made, we want to make sure we learn [from] them.
1.02pm BST
13:02
Haroon Siddique
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, is at the scene. He says his thoughts and prayers are with with the victims and their friends and families.
He says there are concerns people are still on the premises.
Khan praises the emergency services for “running towards the fire”.
Dany Cotton, the London fire commissioner, says firefighters “continue to work tirelessly”. She adds:
This will of course be subject to a major speculation but at this moment we do not want to speculate about the cause of the fire or the fire spread.
Cotton says these questions will be answered in time. She expects firefighters to be at the scene for the next 24 hours.
12.46pm BST
12:46
The Met police commander Stuart Cundy has confirmed that at least six people were killed in the fire. “I anticipate that the number of fatalities will sadly rise,” he told reporters.
He said he could not confirm how many people were missing. “There may be people in that building who are as yet unaccounted for,” he said.
Cundy confirmed that the building was considered structurally sound after advice from structural engineers.
Updated
at 12.52pm BST
12.37pm BST
12:37
74 people injured
NHS England has released a new update to say 74 patients are being treated in London hospitals and 20 are in critical care.
Here’s the breakdown:
There have been six fatalities.
A total of 74 patients are being treated in London hospitals.
64 of these patients were treated at the scene by ambulance crews and taken to hospital for further treatment. The remainder made their own way.
20 are in critical care.
The six hospitals that have received patients are the Royal Free, King’s College, St Mary’s, Chelsea and Westminster, Guy’s and St Thomas’ and Charing Cross.
Updated
at 12.53pm BST
12.32pm BST12.32pm BST
12:3212:32
PM 'deeply saddened'PM 'deeply saddened'
Number 10 says Theresa May is “deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life in Grenfell Tower”. No 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.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/Pbxlmp5ToONumber 10 statement on the Grenfell Tower fire: pic.twitter.com/Pbxlmp5ToO
Updated
at 12.53pm BST
12.29pm BST12.29pm BST
12:2912:29
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: The 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. 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. 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.” 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.
Updated
at 12.54pm BST
12.26pm BST12.26pm BST
12:2612:26
Contractors said refurbishment met fire regulationsContractors 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. Rydon, the contractors who carried out the £9.7m refurbishment of Grenfell Tower, insisted it met fire and health and safety standards.
In a statement it said: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.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. 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 and safety standards. We will cooperate with the relevant authorities and emergency services and fully support their inquiries 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.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.
Updated
at 12.55pm BST
12.23pm BST12.23pm BST
12:2312:23
Holly WattHolly 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. Christopher Miers, an architect and the founder of the construction dispute resolution group Probyn Miers, said 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: He said the panels on the outside of the building should not have been able to catch fire, and fire compartmentation and firebreaks should also have stopped 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.” 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 fire spread 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 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.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.” There are very specific regulations which limit the combustibility of the materials. Once a building is over 18 metres, 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
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.13pm BST at 12.57pm BST
11.56am BST
11:56
The Guardian’s graphics team takes a closer look at what happened at Grenfell Tower in this visual guide.
Updated
at 11.58am BST
11.55am BST
11:55
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.
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 1/2
Updated
at 12.16pm BST
11.45am BST
11:45
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.
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.
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.
Updated
at 11.49am BST
11.38am BST
11:38
Jamie 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/JJJOmDOU5f
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.”
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.
He said: “It was horrible. Everyone was so confused, so upset, so distraught. Why did this happen?”
Updated
at 12.18pm BST
11.31am BST
11:31
Sarah Marsh
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.
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.
Updated
at 11.37am BST
11.28am BST
11:28
Holly 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 also said that “further progress has been made with the installation programme of hard-wired automatic smoke alarms in tenanted dwellings”.
Updated
at 11.29am BST