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London fire: fears of people trapped as major blaze engulfs tower block – latest London fire: fears of people trapped as major blaze engulfs tower block – latest
(35 minutes later)
5.02am BST
05:02
Fire declared major incident
#NorthKensington tower block fire declared major incident, crews working hard at scene ©@Natalie_Oxford For updates:https://t.co/Gy6gUYc4ML pic.twitter.com/079acRjt7W
The London Ambulance Service has also tweeted a statement, attributed to Stuart Crighton, the assistant director of operations.
He says a “number of resources” are at the scene, including its specially-trained Hazardous Area Response Team and more than 20 ambulance crews, but still no detail as to the number of injuries.
Our latest statement on the #NorthKensington tower block fire. We have sent over 20 ambulance crews to the scene. More to follow. pic.twitter.com/j9JD8t6I3t
An evacuation process is still underway with people on the scene reporting that buildings near the Grenfell Tower are being evacuated due to falling debris.
We are being told to leave our flats nearby due to falling debris #GrenfellTower
Police banging on doors of nearby flats telling residents to evacuate. #LondonFire @gmb @piersmorgan @susannareid100 pic.twitter.com/ich5sd5pBZ
Jonathan Swain, of Good Morning Britain, says that falling debris is making fire crews’ jobs “extremely difficult and dangerous” – this video was posted 15 minutes ago.
Burning falling debris making @LondonFire job extremely difficult and dangerous. Pray those inside. @gmb @piersmorgan @susannareid100 pic.twitter.com/LuvSdYWIGN
4.55am BST
04:55
George Osborne, the Evening Standard editor, has tweeted this view of the “awful tower block fire” from a distance.
Just seen this awful tower block fire near my home in W London. My prayers with those affected & heroes tackling it pic.twitter.com/MFi1DAnCSK
4.54am BST
04:54
According to Get West London, the Grenfell Tower block had recently undergone a major £10 million refurbishment. Nick Paget-Brown, the leader of the Kensington and Chelsea Council, and Rock Feilding-Mellen, the deputy, visited the tower upon completion of the renovation in May last year.
The upgrade – which included the installation of insulated exterior cladding, new double-glazed windows, and a new communal heating system – was funded by the council as part of a multi-million-dollar regeneration of the area.
According to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea’s website, the tower block was built in 1974 and contained 120 homes, managed by the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation on behalf of the council. Among the tenants were Grenfell Under 3s Nursery and Dale Youth Amateur Boxing Club.
The refurbishment also created “nine much-needed new homes have been created from unused spaces”.
4.46am BST
04:46
People remain trapped inside Grenfell Tower
Alice Ross has just filed this devastating account from the scene:
People can be seen at the windows, including one man waving a blanket from the window. People from neighbouring estates are huddled outside in their pyjamas near the flaming building, some shouting “put your head out the window” or calling the man with the blanket to shout his flat numbers so they can guide the fire services to him. Fire officers are spraying his window with water to try and douse the flames.
There’s a smell of acrid smoke and flaming debris is spiralling from the building. There’s the sound of breaking glass and dull pops.
“There was a woman with a child. I saw her waving maybe 30mins ago,” said a man who asked not to be named. “She said I’ve got a child ... I saw them spraying her window.”
Hadil Alamily said in the past hour she saw “someone jump on fire from the top floor”. She had seen him flashing a light in an SOS pattern.
“He was screaming help, help, help but no one helped. He dashed a mattress out of the window. He was literally on fire and jumped.”
Neighbours shouting to a man still visible in a window at Grenfell Tower pic.twitter.com/oUh7HgD08i
This footage was tweeted in the last 15 minutes.
Fire has now totally consumed #GrenfellTower. @LondonFire doing absolutely heroic work in very tough circumstances. pic.twitter.com/TeL2MJeHH0
This is really shocking. Eyewitnesses say some people were trapped. @abcnews pic.twitter.com/LrzVBeNVPf
4.41am BST
04:41
This from Alice Ross, my colleague in London: “I can see a man in the window.”
Neighbours say they've recently been able to see and hear people screaming for help from Grenfell Tower. I can see a man in a window pic.twitter.com/6MekZlpLdG
Sky News is reporting that police have told onlookers who may know people inside the building to cover their mouths with a wet cloth and get out of the building as soon as they can, by any means possible.
This has been confirmed by another reporter.
Police on ground telling families trapped #LatimerRoad #Grenfell to cover faces w/ wet towels & try to get out. Don't wait for fire brigade
There is still no detail from authorities on the human impact of the blaze – even whether people are trapped – with the latest still that word from Metropolitan Police: “a number of people have been treated for a range of injuries”.
4.33am BST
04:33
What we know so far
A huge fire has engulfed a tower block in West London.
The fire broke out shortly before 1am on Wednesday at Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road near Notting Hill.
The tower is at least 24 storeys high and contains 120 apartments.
200 firefighters have been tackling the blaze with 40 engines.
A number of people have been treated for a range of injuries according to the fire brigade
There have been multiple reports of people trapped in the blaze. These have not been confirmed by police or the fire brigade.
Streets around the tower have been sealed off and residents in ther houses evacuated.
London Fire Brigade say there is no known cause at the moment for the blaze.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has declared the fire a “major incident”.
This news story will be updated with developments, in addition to this rolling coverage.
4.31am BST
04:31
Claire Phipps
There has been no confirmation yet if anyone has been killed in the Grenfell Tower fire, although police have said “a number of people” are being treated for various injuries.
To date, London’s worst tower block fire took place in Camberwell, south London, in July 2009. Six people – three women and three children – were killed when fire swept through the 14-storey Lakanal House. At least 20 people were injured.
Earlier this year, Southwark council was fined £570,000 after admitting it had breached a number of fire safety regulations.
All local authorities were ordered to check the safety of high-rise blocks in the wake of the Lakanal House tragedy, after firefighters expressed shock at the speed at which the flames engulfed the building.
4.27am BST
04:27
Rachael Venables, an LBC reporter, has tweeted video of emergency services on the roads surrounding the Grenfell Tower.
Riot police and paramedics lining the roads around the 27-storey block of flats in Shepherds Bush, completely engulfed in flames @LBC pic.twitter.com/ayKYc92naX
Ashish Joshi, a senior correspondent for Sky News UK, has said the police cordon extends several blocks back from the blaze and is manned by “hundreds” of officers. “There isn’t any panic, people are just looking at what is happening with a degree of disbelief.
“The tower bloke is aflame, the smoke is rising, there are people who have escaped with their lives who are looking back on the tower and knowing that everyone they have has been destroyed.
“It’s a terrible, terrible situation.”
Another shot from George Clarke and an onlooker.
They've managed to put some of it out now. #GrenFellTower #GrenfellTowerFire #london #fire #kensington pic.twitter.com/ePLJgTPVJ8
Updated
at 4.28am BST
4.20am BST4.20am BST
04:2004:20
Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, has tweeted urging people to follow London Fire Brigade on Twitter for updates.Sadiq Khan, the London mayor, has tweeted urging people to follow London Fire Brigade on Twitter for updates.
Major incident declared at Grenfell Tower in Kensington. 40 fire engines & 200 firefighters at the scene - follow @LondonFire for updates.Major incident declared at Grenfell Tower in Kensington. 40 fire engines & 200 firefighters at the scene - follow @LondonFire for updates.
4.16am BST4.16am BST
04:1604:16
George Clarke, the host of the Channel 4 show Amazing Spaces who earlier spoke to Radio 5 Live, has posted this on Instagram.George Clarke, the host of the Channel 4 show Amazing Spaces who earlier spoke to Radio 5 Live, has posted this on Instagram.
4.14am BST4.14am BST
04:1404:14
Alice Ross, my colleague in London, is near the scene and reports that the building is “completely ablaze” as debris continues to fall form the floors.Alice Ross, my colleague in London, is near the scene and reports that the building is “completely ablaze” as debris continues to fall form the floors.
Grenfell Tower in White City is completely ablaze. Chunks of flaming debris can be seen falling from the upper floors pic.twitter.com/X8clZnufdYGrenfell Tower in White City is completely ablaze. Chunks of flaming debris can be seen falling from the upper floors pic.twitter.com/X8clZnufdY
4.12am BST4.12am BST
04:1204:12
The sun is starting to dawn on west London, where it has just gone 4am. Fabio Bebber is continuing to tweet images from the scene – this one was posted within the last 10 minutes.The sun is starting to dawn on west London, where it has just gone 4am. Fabio Bebber is continuing to tweet images from the scene – this one was posted within the last 10 minutes.
We can hear fire brigade replying to people who are still trapped #grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/iWG76cb4RMWe can hear fire brigade replying to people who are still trapped #grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/iWG76cb4RM
It is easy to see how the fire spread from one side of the tower in the hours since emergency services were called at around 1am – compare the above image to one taken by Bebber three hours ago.It is easy to see how the fire spread from one side of the tower in the hours since emergency services were called at around 1am – compare the above image to one taken by Bebber three hours ago.
Fire consuming Grenfell Tower. People screaming for their lives. Horrible #London #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/hhvfNNuq1CFire consuming Grenfell Tower. People screaming for their lives. Horrible #London #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/hhvfNNuq1C
4.09am BST4.09am BST
04:0904:09
Where is the Grenfell Tower?Where is the Grenfell Tower?
4.08am BST4.08am BST
04:0804:08
Fire Brigade: the cause of the fire is not yet knownFire Brigade: the cause of the fire is not yet known
The LFB has posted an update on Facebook:The LFB has posted an update on Facebook:
Forty fire engines and over 200 firefighters and officers have been called to a tower block fire on the Lancaster West estate in north Kensington this morning.Forty fire engines and over 200 firefighters and officers have been called to a tower block fire on the Lancaster West estate in north Kensington this morning.
The Brigade has received multiple calls. The fire is from the second floor to the top floor of the 27 floor building.The Brigade has received multiple calls. The fire is from the second floor to the top floor of the 27 floor building.
Assistant Commissioner Dan Daly said: “Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working extremely hard in very difficult conditions to tackle this fire. This is a large and very serious incident and we have deployed numerous resources and specialist appliances.”Assistant Commissioner Dan Daly said: “Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working extremely hard in very difficult conditions to tackle this fire. This is a large and very serious incident and we have deployed numerous resources and specialist appliances.”
The Brigade was called at 0054 and is still at the scene. Fire crews from North Kensington, Kensington, Hammersmith and Paddington and from surrounding fire stations are in attendance.The Brigade was called at 0054 and is still at the scene. Fire crews from North Kensington, Kensington, Hammersmith and Paddington and from surrounding fire stations are in attendance.
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.The cause of the fire is not known at this stage.
Firefighters working hard to bring fire under control on Lancaster West Estate #NorthKensington https://t.co/Gy6gUYc4ML pic.twitter.com/ptd6dOUTE7Firefighters working hard to bring fire under control on Lancaster West Estate #NorthKensington https://t.co/Gy6gUYc4ML pic.twitter.com/ptd6dOUTE7
4.06am BST4.06am BST
04:0604:06
A nearby resident, named as Sofia, also told Radio 5:A nearby resident, named as Sofia, also told Radio 5:
“I kept hearing what I thought were loud banging sounds … I looked out of the window and said Grenfell Tower was burning down.”“I kept hearing what I thought were loud banging sounds … I looked out of the window and said Grenfell Tower was burning down.”
She said, as other eyewitnesses have done, said the fire began one side but quickly spread across the whole building.She said, as other eyewitnesses have done, said the fire began one side but quickly spread across the whole building.
“I have not seen a survivor, someone pulled out of the building and being treated by an ambulance. I think it confirms my worst fear that people are dying in this building.”“I have not seen a survivor, someone pulled out of the building and being treated by an ambulance. I think it confirms my worst fear that people are dying in this building.”
She said the noises began around 1.15am, and the fire had spread very rapidly.She said the noises began around 1.15am, and the fire had spread very rapidly.
“I heard loads of young girls crying out for help … I can’t see any ladders extending into the building … I can hear people screaming for help and they are dying.”“I heard loads of young girls crying out for help … I can’t see any ladders extending into the building … I can hear people screaming for help and they are dying.”
But another eyewitness said he had seen groups of people, “at least three families”, leaving the building at different exits, but added that he had heard that staircases inside were now on fire.But another eyewitness said he had seen groups of people, “at least three families”, leaving the building at different exits, but added that he had heard that staircases inside were now on fire.
4.05am BST4.05am BST
04:0504:05
One eyewitness, Victoria Goldsmith, has told Sky News:One eyewitness, Victoria Goldsmith, has told Sky News:
“The whole building seems to be engulfed now. It’s spread all the way to the top. I heard it at about 1am and I ran out to see if I could help, and there were already people there.“The whole building seems to be engulfed now. It’s spread all the way to the top. I heard it at about 1am and I ran out to see if I could help, and there were already people there.
“There was literally two people trapped at the top and they had mobile phones and they had the lights trying to flash them and signal people... They couldn’t get to them ... fire kept going and the lights went out. ““There was literally two people trapped at the top and they had mobile phones and they had the lights trying to flash them and signal people... They couldn’t get to them ... fire kept going and the lights went out. “
“They are trying to get it under control. It’s pretty horrendous.”“They are trying to get it under control. It’s pretty horrendous.”
4.03am BST
04:03
More horrific footage shared by Fabio Bebber.
https://t.co/WMd5x7TfLk
#grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/DiAussK7mC
People still there. #grenfelltower being consumed pic.twitter.com/12qD45vKK7
The smell of it. Fire now covers all windows where people were. #grenfelltower #london pic.twitter.com/4Dp7LnGDGR
4.03am BST
04:03
George Clarke, who presents Channel 4 show Amazing Spaces, told Radio 5 Live: “I was in bed and heard ‘beep, beep, beep’ and thought, ‘I’ll get up and run downstairs as quickly as I could’.
“I thought it might be a car alarm outside and saw the glow through the windows.
“I’m getting covered in ash, that’s how bad it is. I’m 100 metres away and I’m absolutely covered in ash.
“It’s so heartbreaking, I’ve seen someone flashing their torches at the top level and they obviously can’t get out.
“The guys are doing an incredible job to try and get people out that building, but it’s truly awful.”
4.01am BST
04:01
The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that “a number of people are being treated for a range of injuries” on Twitter. That’s further to the earlier report that two people were being treated on the scene for smoke inhalation.
Residents continue to be evacuated from the tower block fire in #NorthKensington. A number of people being treated for a range of injuries.
There has been still no word from emergency services as to whether people are trapped inside the building but, judging by the plentiful eyewitness accounts, the question is not if, but how many.
It is also still not clear whether the building has 24 storeys or 27 storeys, with conflicting accounts from authorities and the architects that recently renovated the tower. We will endeavour to bring you clarity as soon as possible.
3.57am BST
03:57
Two hours ago, Fabio Bebber tweeted that the fire was “consuming” Grenfell Tower: “People screaming for their lives. Horrible.”
Fire consuming Grenfell Tower. People screaming for their lives. Horrible #London #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/hhvfNNuq1C
Bebber’s report that people were trapped within the building, “screaming for their lives”, has been corroborated by other eyewitnesses, but emergency services have not yet given any details beyond two people being treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.
Outside now, people are still trapped on their flats. Lights are out on the top floors #grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/7NhDepnHAs
Fire brigade asking the public outside to move back. #grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/RlPgTziQuH
#grenfelltower #fire still burning pic.twitter.com/iWc90MFY4J
#grenfelltower fire still on pic.twitter.com/8icVVaezA3
Bebber tweeted that there was a “very strong smell” from the blaze, and a police officer had asked those gathered outside to ask if anyone was in touch with people inside the tower by phone.
Bebber said he saw someone with a flashlight on the top floor, echoing other eyewitnesses’ accounts of people trapped inside the building, desperately signalling for help with their phones or lights.
Fire is getting worse and people are still screaming for help#grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/tafB2Cp6tD
More screams for help as the fire spreads to another side of the building. #grenfelltower #london #fire pic.twitter.com/nfuIfSUt3Y
Bebber said that as the blaze moved from one side of the building to the other, engulfing it in flames, onlookers were moved away from the scene by authorities. He said he saw no ladders or water sprays outside the building.
3.47am BST
03:47
An eyewitness who gave his name as Rio told Sky News UK he could see the fire from his kitchen window. He had been alerted to the blaze by the sound of distant smoke alarms.
It began on one side of the building but has engulfed the block in the last two hours, stretching from the second floor to the top. Rio said fire fighters could not physically reach the upper floors of the block from their trucks.
London Ambulance says it has sent a “number of resources” to the scene, including its specialist Hazardous Area Response Team of medics who specialise in providing medical care in hazardous environments.
We have sent a number of resources to this incident including @LAS_HART More information will follow when we have it #NorthKensington https://t.co/ivlwgydZDT
Reports that people are trapped inside the building have not yet been confirmed by authorities.
3.40am BST
03:40
Grenfell Tower on fire outside my flat. Never experienced such terror in my life. Hope everyone is safe. pic.twitter.com/x5gJin5Ltl
3.37am BST
03:37
Kasia Madera, a presenter with BBC World News, says smoke is visible from Hammersmith. The Westway A40 is now closed in both directions, with a “huge plume of smoke” reaching across it from the site of the “enormous fire” on Latimer Road. There are lots of helicopters overhead, she says.
The London Fire Brigade has tweeted, in the last 20 minutes, that crews are continuing to work hard at the tower block fire, which is from the second to top floor of the 27-storey building. (However, the architects who renovated the building have put it at 24 storeys – we’ll clarify as soon as we know for sure.)
Crews continue to work hard at tower block fire in #NorthKensington Fire is from 2nd to top floor of 27 storey building pic.twitter.com/lAwhZl6Jf3
3.30am BST
03:30
More footage of the blaze.
3.23am BST
03:23
While this is a developing story, from photos and videos of the blaze posted to social media, it is clear that the fire at Grenfell Tower is serious, with flames engulfing the 24-storey building.
Celeste Thomas, who lives across the road from the building, has been tweeting from the scene as firefighters struggle to bring the enormous blaze under control. She says she saw falling debris and could hear damage from inside.
West London, Latimer Road, right now. Struggling to bring fire under control. 🙁 pic.twitter.com/Ukih8cCI49
Thomas tweeted that “hundreds” of people were outside the building, among them residents and families trying to find each other. Police were moving crowds away from the building to allow ambulances drive through.
She said she had been asked by police to go inside her home, across the road from the apartment block: “Fire spread and not yet showing signs of coming under control. ... Smoke turned darker now.”
Forty fire engines had been at the scene for over an hour, said Thomas.
#WestLondon #LatimerRoad #GrenfellTower #W11 #Fire pic.twitter.com/3NePgkDcR3
View from the bedroom. Cracking heard as floors collapse. #WestLondon #LatimerRoad #GrenfellTower #Fire pic.twitter.com/Gnjm9bw7kp
3.08am BST
03:08
Huge fire breaks out in 24-storey Grenfell Tower
Elle Hunt
A block of flats in London is on fire, with people reportedly trapped inside.
Forty fire engines and 200 firefighters are battling the blaze at the Lancaster West Estate tower block, a 24-storey building in Latimer Road in White City.
The Metropolitan police were called to the apartment building at 1.15am on Wednesday, and officers and the London Ambulance Service have joined London Fire Brigade at the scene. An evacuation process is underway.
Police said two people were being treated at the scene for smoke inhalation, but reports from the scene suggest people are trapped inside their homes. More than 200 people live in the block.
We’ll be reporting updates as we receive them.
Updated
at 3.09am BST