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London fire: Twelve confirmed dead but police expect further fatalities after tower block blaze – latest updates | |
(35 minutes later) | |
5.15pm BST | |
17:15 | |
Steve Apter, director of safety and assurance at London Fire Brigade, spoke before Cundy. | |
He said firefighters have “searched almost all the building”. They have managed to get to the top floor | |
They rescued 65 people who were handed over to London Ambulance Service. | |
There are still pockets of fire yet to be extinguished in particularly difficult areas to reach. | |
He said firefighters would definitely be there overnight. | |
5.14pm BST | |
17:14 | |
Met Commander Stuart Cundy said he expects the figure of 12 people dead to rise, they are not expecting to find any more survivors. | |
5.11pm BST | |
17:11 | |
Met commander Stuart Cundy, breaking the news that the death toll has doubled, said: | |
It’s very, very challenging to put a number on those unaccounted for. | |
5.04pm BST | |
17:04 | |
12 people have died | |
The Met police say the death toll has risen to 12 | |
Updated | |
at 5.04pm BST | |
4.59pm BST | |
16:59 | |
Damien Gayle | |
Ines Alves, 16, managed to reach her GCSE exam despite she and her family being burned out of their home on the 13th floor of Grenfell Tower, she told the Guardian. | |
She escaped after her father, returning home late from work, noticed the fire just after it started. | |
Ines and her father, Miguel, 49, were collecting supplies from Notting Hill Methodist Church on Wednesday afternoon. Despite losing everything, Ines said she still went to Sacred Heart school to complete her maths exam. “But I missed my history exam in the afternoon,” she said. | |
Miguel, a chauffeur, said he noticed the fire as he returned home from work early in the morning. | |
I just arrived when the fire started. I was in the lift, I pressed 13 and somebody pressed four. When the doors opened at the fourth floor, smoke billowed into the lift. | |
I just came out of the lift because I didn’t know what was going on, and I just went up by the staircase to wake up my son and daughter. | |
Ines said that firefighters at the bottom of the tower had told her mother, who got down earlier, to pass on a message that they should stay in their flat. | |
They told my mum to tell my dad, for us to stay up in our flat safely, just close the windows and all the doors. But she didn’t tell us in time so we ended up coming down anyway. Obviously they never knew it was going to get to this extent. | |
Miguel said that when they arrived back downstairs, the fire looked small. Ines continued: | |
We were one of the first people. The fire started at about 12.55am, and we were out by ten past (one). | |
She said they went down the staircase to escape. | |
Like many, Miguel complained that residents had repeatedly warned the council that their block was not safe. “Many times we make a lot of points, and nobody cares; they ignore us,” he said. | |
4.42pm BST | |
16:42 | |
Harriet Sherwood | |
The Harrow Club youth centre on Freston Road has been open since 3am to help people displaced by the fire | |
Les Roberts, chair of the trustees, said it was acting as a depot for donations and its sister organisation, the Portobello Club, was accommodating the homeless or people unable to reach their homes. Room after room is filled with food, nappies and baby equipment, clothing, shoes, bedding, toys and toiletries brought by individuals, community groups and local businesses. One room is entirely filled with bottled water. Roberts said: | |
It’s mind boggling. The whole community has simply come out to help. People are bringing things, and then staying to help sort them. People in Grenfell Tower have simply lost everything, and they are unlikely to be insured. | |
By late afternoon, the Harrow Club was one of the few community centres in the area still accepting donations as others simply ran out of space. The club expects to accommodate displaced people overnight in its its upstairs sports hall. | |
Roberts said: | |
This area is a little nodule trapped in the midst of some quite affluent areas. It’s one of the most deprived parts of west London, and that’s especially true of the people who live in the tower blocks. | |
The rescue effort had become more organised as the day had gone on, he said. “Considering the scale of what’s happened, the police and the local authority seem to be on top of it.” But, he said, “it’s a real disaster. I’m afraid it’s going to be much, much worse than anyone imagines.” | |
Updated | |
at 5.03pm BST | |
4.37pm BST | 4.37pm BST |
16:37 | 16:37 |
Amelia Gentleman | Amelia Gentleman |
Residents at the block were so concerned about fire safety after the recent refurbishment works in March that they requested an independent fire safety assessor to come in to review the safety of the building, but their request was rejected, the Labour councillor responsible for the block said. | Residents at the block were so concerned about fire safety after the recent refurbishment works in March that they requested an independent fire safety assessor to come in to review the safety of the building, but their request was rejected, the Labour councillor responsible for the block said. |
She said tenants were concerned about the fire risk during and after recent refurbishment works and repeatedly raised their concerns with her. | She said tenants were concerned about the fire risk during and after recent refurbishment works and repeatedly raised their concerns with her. |
Judith Blackman, Labour housing spokeswoman and who is on the board of the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO), which runs the council’s homes, said: | Judith Blackman, Labour housing spokeswoman and who is on the board of the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO), which runs the council’s homes, said: |
We were constantly being fobbed off. All our concerns were being ignored. Our request for an independent safety adjudicator was turned down. We were told it was unnecessary. | We were constantly being fobbed off. All our concerns were being ignored. Our request for an independent safety adjudicator was turned down. We were told it was unnecessary. |
Blackman said she raised the concerns of the residents with colleagues on the board so frequently that the board tried to have her removed from her position. The board said there was no need to employ an independent assessor, told her that their own checks were adequate, and said it “was not necessary to fund or instruct an independent adjudicator at this time”. | Blackman said she raised the concerns of the residents with colleagues on the board so frequently that the board tried to have her removed from her position. The board said there was no need to employ an independent assessor, told her that their own checks were adequate, and said it “was not necessary to fund or instruct an independent adjudicator at this time”. |
Blackman said: | Blackman said: |
I was treated like I was a nuisance. I raised 19 complaints on behalf of individual residents. Every single time we were told that the board had satisfied itself that the fire safety was fine. We were told that the go inside and wait policy was absolutely right. | I was treated like I was a nuisance. I raised 19 complaints on behalf of individual residents. Every single time we were told that the board had satisfied itself that the fire safety was fine. We were told that the go inside and wait policy was absolutely right. |
In a letter to KCTMO, Blackman shared the residents’ concerns with the group. “I can’t think in all my 34 years on the council of anything that has gone on for so long in such an irresponsible manner and caused such concern to residents,” she wrote. | |
Updated | |
at 4.42pm BST | |
4.22pm BST | 4.22pm BST |
16:22 | 16:22 |
Management company 'aware of previous concerns' | Management company 'aware of previous concerns' |
In a statement, Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation, which runs the council’s homes and has been a target for criticism by some residents, acknowledged concerns had previously been raised. It said: | In a statement, Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation, which runs the council’s homes and has been a target for criticism by some residents, acknowledged concerns had previously been raised. It said: |
It is too early to speculate what caused the fire and contributed to its spread. We will cooperate fully with all the relevant authorities in order to ascertain the cause of this tragedy. | It is too early to speculate what caused the fire and contributed to its spread. We will cooperate fully with all the relevant authorities in order to ascertain the cause of this tragedy. |
We are aware that concerns have been raised historically by residents. We always take all concerns seriously and these will form part of our forthcoming investigations. While these investigations continue with our cooperation, our core priority at the moment is our residents | We are aware that concerns have been raised historically by residents. We always take all concerns seriously and these will form part of our forthcoming investigations. While these investigations continue with our cooperation, our core priority at the moment is our residents |
Updated | Updated |
at 4.28pm BST | at 4.28pm BST |
4.16pm BST | 4.16pm BST |
16:16 | 16:16 |
18 in critical care | 18 in critical care |
In its latest update, London Ambulance says there are now 18 people in critical care, down from 20 earlier. | In its latest update, London Ambulance says there are now 18 people in critical care, down from 20 earlier. |
Our latest statement on #GrenfellTower. We've treated & taken69 patients to 6 hospitals. 18 are in critical care https://t.co/5IZS0JeRW3 pic.twitter.com/LPjoHjrl5p | Our latest statement on #GrenfellTower. We've treated & taken69 patients to 6 hospitals. 18 are in critical care https://t.co/5IZS0JeRW3 pic.twitter.com/LPjoHjrl5p |
Earlier, it said it had taken 64 people to hospital but NHS England said 75 were being treated for injuries sustained as a result of the fire. | Earlier, it said it had taken 64 people to hospital but NHS England said 75 were being treated for injuries sustained as a result of the fire. |
Updated | Updated |
at 4.16pm BST | at 4.16pm BST |
4.05pm BST | 4.05pm BST |
16:05 | 16:05 |
Jamie Grierson | Jamie Grierson |
A London Fire Brigade firefighter of 17 years, who asked not to benamed, said he had never seen or dealt with anything like the blaze at Grenfell Tower. | A London Fire Brigade firefighter of 17 years, who asked not to benamed, said he had never seen or dealt with anything like the blaze at Grenfell Tower. |
Working from a command unit on Ladbroke Grove, he told the Guardian hehad been in the building on the 12th floor and said it was “devastating”. | Working from a command unit on Ladbroke Grove, he told the Guardian hehad been in the building on the 12th floor and said it was “devastating”. |
He started his shift yesterday at 8pm, arrived on the scene at 4amand is due to start his next shift at 8pm. He said: | He started his shift yesterday at 8pm, arrived on the scene at 4amand is due to start his next shift at 8pm. He said: |
Everyone has been going above and beyond. Many of the men have been lining up to work today and assist. | Everyone has been going above and beyond. Many of the men have been lining up to work today and assist. |
He said the brigade was now working to test the “integrity” of the building. | He said the brigade was now working to test the “integrity” of the building. |
Parts of it are OK. But we need to test the integrity of the building. | Parts of it are OK. But we need to test the integrity of the building. |
He said he was happy with the resources available to the brigade andbelieved they were sufficient. | He said he was happy with the resources available to the brigade andbelieved they were sufficient. |
Updated | Updated |
at 4.27pm BST | at 4.27pm BST |
3.53pm BST | 3.53pm BST |
15:53 | 15:53 |
Pictures illustrate how the community has rallied round, inundating collection centres with donations. | Pictures illustrate how the community has rallied round, inundating collection centres with donations. |
Huge organisation of vast amount of donated clothes at The Methodist Church on Lancaster Rd. Incredible community response #GlenfellFire pic.twitter.com/UBGRIOXjV7 | Huge organisation of vast amount of donated clothes at The Methodist Church on Lancaster Rd. Incredible community response #GlenfellFire pic.twitter.com/UBGRIOXjV7 |
Donated shoes at Westway sports centre #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/V2ftmt64CX | Donated shoes at Westway sports centre #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/V2ftmt64CX |
3.45pm BST | 3.45pm BST |
15:45 | 15:45 |
Harriet Sherwood | Harriet Sherwood |
At the Pig and Whistle, lunchtime drinkers sat in the garden gazing up at the blackened, smoking tower. Tejinder Paul Dhillon was in bed with his partner in their nearby flat when he noticed a strange light behind the curtains. | At the Pig and Whistle, lunchtime drinkers sat in the garden gazing up at the blackened, smoking tower. Tejinder Paul Dhillon was in bed with his partner in their nearby flat when he noticed a strange light behind the curtains. |
I said to her, ‘it looks a bit orange out there’. I grabbed my boots and ran to the base of the tower. There was debris coming down all over the place. | I said to her, ‘it looks a bit orange out there’. I grabbed my boots and ran to the base of the tower. There was debris coming down all over the place. |
I saw a couple of people falling from the block. I helped six women out, but they were worried about their father, they said he was stuck in the lift. | I saw a couple of people falling from the block. I helped six women out, but they were worried about their father, they said he was stuck in the lift. |
No one can say the fire brigade didn’t do their job. | No one can say the fire brigade didn’t do their job. |
I feel sick. It’s like 9/11 - you know there are bodies cremated in there. There must be a lot more dead than they’ve said so far. Look at it - still smoking and burning now. | I feel sick. It’s like 9/11 - you know there are bodies cremated in there. There must be a lot more dead than they’ve said so far. Look at it - still smoking and burning now. |
Donna Harrington lived in a flat on the 16th floor until 13 years ago, and was worried about her former next door neighbours, Pilly and Nicky, who had not been heard from. Harrington said there had been a fire at the block 20 years ago. | Donna Harrington lived in a flat on the 16th floor until 13 years ago, and was worried about her former next door neighbours, Pilly and Nicky, who had not been heard from. Harrington said there had been a fire at the block 20 years ago. |
I woke up one night to the smell of smoke. It was mayhem. There were no alarms, and I couldn’t see my hands in front of my face. They told us to stay in the flats, but my instinct told me to go. If you wait, you’re dead. | I woke up one night to the smell of smoke. It was mayhem. There were no alarms, and I couldn’t see my hands in front of my face. They told us to stay in the flats, but my instinct told me to go. If you wait, you’re dead. |
Now there’s been a proper inferno. I feel disgusted. This has been going on for years. | Now there’s been a proper inferno. I feel disgusted. This has been going on for years. |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.51pm BST | at 3.51pm BST |
3.38pm BST | 3.38pm BST |
15:38 | 15:38 |
A former Tory housing minister warned MPs against beefing up fire safety regulations, because it could discourage house building, the Mirror reports. | A former Tory housing minister warned MPs against beefing up fire safety regulations, because it could discourage house building, the Mirror reports. |
It says that five years after the coroner’s report into the 2009 blaze in Camberwell called for developers refurbishing high-rise blocks to be encouraged to install sprinkler systems, Brandon Lewis told MPs: | It says that five years after the coroner’s report into the 2009 blaze in Camberwell called for developers refurbishing high-rise blocks to be encouraged to install sprinkler systems, Brandon Lewis told MPs: |
We believe that it is the responsibility of the fire industry, rather than the government, to market fire sprinkler systems effectively and to encourage their wider installation ... | We believe that it is the responsibility of the fire industry, rather than the government, to market fire sprinkler systems effectively and to encourage their wider installation ... |
The cost of fitting a fire sprinkler system may affect house building—something we want to encourage— so we must wait to see what impact that regulation has. | The cost of fitting a fire sprinkler system may affect house building—something we want to encourage— so we must wait to see what impact that regulation has. |
Lewis is quoted as having previously said that sprinklers are “ an effective way of controlling fires and of protecting lives and property”. | Lewis is quoted as having previously said that sprinklers are “ an effective way of controlling fires and of protecting lives and property”. |
For political reaction to the fire, you can also follow Andrew Sparrow’s dedicated politics blog. | For political reaction to the fire, you can also follow Andrew Sparrow’s dedicated politics blog. |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.44pm BST | at 3.44pm BST |
3.28pm BST | 3.28pm BST |
15:28 | 15:28 |
Speaker John Bercow has offered condolences on behalf of MPs to the victims of the “unimaginable and horrific disaster”. | Speaker John Bercow has offered condolences on behalf of MPs to the victims of the “unimaginable and horrific disaster”. |
MPs would normally be expected to have a chance to ask questions to a minister on such disasters in the chamber but Bercow said it was not possible in this instance, as parliament has yet to officially convene following the general election. | MPs would normally be expected to have a chance to ask questions to a minister on such disasters in the chamber but Bercow said it was not possible in this instance, as parliament has yet to officially convene following the general election. |
A meeting with a minister is expected to take place in the Palace of Westminster to enable questions from MPs, said Bercow. | A meeting with a minister is expected to take place in the Palace of Westminster to enable questions from MPs, said Bercow. |
I’m sure on behalf of each and every one of you in this chamber to offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this unimaginable and horrific disaster. | I’m sure on behalf of each and every one of you in this chamber to offer our condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this unimaginable and horrific disaster. |
I want also, I’m sure with your concurrence, to offer the warmest and most effusive thanks to our magnificent emergency services for coping the best they can in this horrendous situation. | I want also, I’m sure with your concurrence, to offer the warmest and most effusive thanks to our magnificent emergency services for coping the best they can in this horrendous situation. |
3.17pm BST | 3.17pm BST |
15:17 | 15:17 |
Jamie Grierson | Jamie Grierson |
The smoke plume has reduced slightly now and there are no signs of flames on the west face of the tower, which is now a blackened wreck. pic.twitter.com/uhXarcadMj | The smoke plume has reduced slightly now and there are no signs of flames on the west face of the tower, which is now a blackened wreck. pic.twitter.com/uhXarcadMj |
Tensions are running high along the edge of the cordon as temperatures soar and people become increasingly tired and hungry. | Tensions are running high along the edge of the cordon as temperatures soar and people become increasingly tired and hungry. |
Outside Latymer community church, a clash between a group of young men and a photographer broke out. | Outside Latymer community church, a clash between a group of young men and a photographer broke out. |
The men appeared to be concerned that the photographer had them on video on his phone and were demanding that he delete the footage. | The men appeared to be concerned that the photographer had them on video on his phone and were demanding that he delete the footage. |
The men pursued the photographer up Bramley Road where he requested police assistance; he deleted the images and footage in their presence. | The men pursued the photographer up Bramley Road where he requested police assistance; he deleted the images and footage in their presence. |
The men eventually turned around and left shouting expletives at the photographer and the police. A group of volunteers handing out water and food outside the centre were shouting about the lack of support: “Where’s our MP? Where’s the council? No one understands.” | The men eventually turned around and left shouting expletives at the photographer and the police. A group of volunteers handing out water and food outside the centre were shouting about the lack of support: “Where’s our MP? Where’s the council? No one understands.” |
Updated | Updated |
at 3.31pm BST | at 3.31pm BST |