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London fire: six dead, 18 in critical care after tower block blaze – latest updates 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 BST4.37pm BST
16:3716:37
Amelia GentlemanAmelia 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 it 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. 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 BST4.22pm BST
16:2216:22
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 residentsWe 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
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.28pm BSTat 4.28pm BST
4.16pm BST4.16pm BST
16:1616:16
18 in critical care18 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/LPjoHjrl5pOur 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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.16pm BSTat 4.16pm BST
4.05pm BST4.05pm BST
16:0516:05
Jamie GriersonJamie 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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.27pm BSTat 4.27pm BST
3.53pm BST3.53pm BST
15:5315:53
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/UBGRIOXjV7Huge 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/V2ftmt64CXDonated shoes at Westway sports centre #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/V2ftmt64CX
3.45pm BST3.45pm BST
15:4515:45
Harriet SherwoodHarriet 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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.51pm BSTat 3.51pm BST
3.38pm BST3.38pm BST
15:3815:38
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.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.44pm BSTat 3.44pm BST
3.28pm BST3.28pm BST
15:2815:28
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 BST3.17pm BST
15:1715:17
Jamie GriersonJamie 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/uhXarcadMjThe 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.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.31pm BSTat 3.31pm BST
3.16pm BST
15:16
Josh Halliday
More on Stay Put fire notices:
Mike Tobin, the technical director of Security and Fire Experts Ltd in Bury, Greater Manchester, said: “As a rule, the Stay Put policy works but I think this is such a tragic incident there’s so many potential issues that make it a one-off”
Tobin said the ‘Stay put’ policy was the long and short of advice to residents in tower blocks and that it was for someone “far higher than my pay grade” to decide whether it should be reviewed.
He described the inferno as a game-changer for the fire safety industry. “I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said. “This will change our industry whether we like it or not. There’s too many deaths for it to go without something coming out of it – they might look at what Scotland is doing, putting sprinklers in all new communal buildings but that would not have stopped this fire.”
A senior firefighter in the north-west of England, who did not want to be named, said he had never seen anything like in his 32 years in the fire service. He said it was so “out of the ordinary and as yet not understood”. “Conventional wisdom may not fit this scenario,” he said.
3.13pm BST
15:13
Damien Gayle
Niles Hailstones, a local community activist, was standing with other locals around the Verity Close estate, in the shadow of the burning tower.
He said that he believed negligence paid a part in the fire that consumed Grenfell Tower. The tragedy of the night’s events exposed the fault lines of class and privilege that divide the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, he said.
Grenfell Tower had long been a symbol of the resistance to the borough’s gentrification, Hailstones said. “To see it in that condition is symbolic of the communities struggles,” he said.
Hailstones highlighted the work of Ed Daffern, whose Grenfell Action Group blog has warned several times of the fire risk to the block, adding:
“It’s at the very least negligence and some serious questions have to be asked about how this happened.
“Some serious questions need to be asked of the local authorities as to how this block could have been in this condition that it could go up in flames like that in 2017.
“The way I look at it is if the town hall was on fire water would be falling from the sky, but in north Kensington lives are expendable. Once again, like Michael Jackson said, all I want to say is that they don’t really care about us.”
Daniel Renwick, 29, a youth worker at the nearby Harrow Club, said:
“The Grenfell Action Group are probably the strongest advocates for reform in this borough. Grenfell are tireless in trying to bring these issues to light and they said the only thing that would give this issue some recognition is a disaster like this.
“It’s sick, because it exposes just how fucking disgraceful this council is. People who don’t understand why the Tories got kicked out of this place [in last week’s election], this is why. The push back can’t be stopped now because how are people supposed to feel about this? It’s the shock doctrine, that’s what this is.”
3.10pm BST
15:10
Corbyn says lessons should be learned
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said lessons have to be learned from the fire.
In a pooled interview he said the Grenfell Tower fire was “nightmare”. He said the Lakanal House fire, in Camberwell south London, in which three women and three children died in July 2009, showed the need for sprinklers and equipment to fight fires in high rise buildings.
Corbyn said:
Harriet Harman the MP who represented those people that suffered in the fire in 2009 has made the point that if you cut local authority expenditure then the price is paid somewhere.
Today is the day to support the emergency services and residents ... Tomorrow is the time to ask all those question. But today let’s concentrate on dealing with the consequences of this fire and try and bring comfort and safety and safe life wherever possible it can be saved.
The areas one has to look at, are the preventive measures that were available, or not available, in the tower; the facilities available to get in and out of it in an emergency ... and the numbers of people available to the fire service, paramedics and emergency services to deal with a crisis like this. We have to make sure we are properly resourced to deal with this kind of crisis. Today let’s concentrate on saving lives.
A review took place after the fire in Camberwell, and the government has that review. We need to ask questions about what facilities and resources have been given to every local authority that has tower block in their area and, frankly most do. We need people to be safe living in high rise buildings.
Obviously ministers who received those reports must be questions, but today every focus must be on saving and protecting life.
Updated
at 3.18pm BST
2.48pm BST
14:48
Fire safeguards in Grenfell were temporarily removed during the refurbishment, according to the trade journal Inside Housing.
Safeguards intended to prevent the spread of fire from floor to floor were temporarily removed from Grenfell Tower during a refurbishment, according to documents from the planning application.
The 2016 refurbishment involved replacing heating pipes which require removing ‘fire stopping’ systems, it said. Their plan was to replace these, but it is unclear whether this took place. The contractors insisted that the refurbishment complied with fire and health and safety rules.
New from @lukewbarratt: Refurb of #GrenfellTower involved temporary removal of fire protections between floors https://t.co/nxmHOxymBt pic.twitter.com/P5Qv886RUY
Updated
at 2.58pm BST
2.35pm BST
14:35
A man seen waving from one of the upper floors at about 7am is believed to have been rescued.
ITV showed live footage of the man on Good Morning Britain, hours after the fire broke out. It later reported that he had been rescued.
Updated
at 2.36pm BST
2.26pm BST
14:26
Two workers with the charity Muslim Aid were delivering donations collected from members of the Al-Manaar mosque in Acklam Road.
“We’re also trying to arrange short-term housing and financial assistance,” said Ahmad Teladia. “We’ve got too much stuff, now the best thing for people to give is money.”
His colleague Nosheena Javaid said there were a lot of Muslim residents of Grenfell Tower. “Muslims are fasting because of Ramadan, but we are trying to reassure people from Grenfell Tower that it’s okay for them not to fast in the circumstances, they will get exemptions from their imam.
“We may do iftar [the meal that breaks the fast] on the streets this evening for those have lost or can’t get to their homes,” she added.
@Muslim_Aid update from the #GrenfellFire site #response #humanity #londonfire #latimer pic.twitter.com/uTPYTHs8HV
Updated
at 2.28pm BST
2.21pm BST
14:21
Manchester-based housing association Irwell Valley has written to its tenants to try to reassure them in the wake of the Grenfell Tower fire.
It points out that its tower blocks are compliant with fire safety legislation but don’t have firm alarm systems. It will be arranging meetings for residents concerned about safety.
Important reassurances from @IrwellValley concerning fire safety at the Haughton Green tower blocks. pic.twitter.com/W4HjmHrNWG
Updated
at 2.25pm BST
2.13pm BST
14:13
Josh Halliday
The “stay put” policy (see earlier) has been a cornerstone of fire safety advice for housing blocks such as Grenfell Tower since the 1950s.
The official guidance states that residents should only evacuate if their own flat is on fire – everyone else, generally, is thought safe to remain.
But that policy is expected to come under intense scrutiny after what fire industry experts called an “unprecedented” inferno that has so far claimed six lives, with the death toll expected to rise.
Darren Baird, a former senior fire safety officer with the Greater Manchester fire service and the managing director of Total Fire Services, said he expected the stay put policy to be reviewed for council blocks that have undergone major refurbishment work, like Grenfell Tower.
“I’ve been to hundreds of tower block fires and every one has been contained in the flat of origin. It very, very rarely spreads beyond even the room of origin,” he said.
“Our general advice would be that unless the fire is in your flat, stay put. Unless you’ve had refurbishment work that you’re unsure of, stay put. It’s been inherent and built into buildings and tower block designs since the 1950s.”
The stay put advice was reviewed following the Lakanal House fire, in south London, in which three women and three children died in July 2009.
The fire service was criticised at an inquest into the Lakanal House blaze for its lack of consistency in telling residents to stay put or get out, but a review of the policy determined that it should not be altered.
Baird, who advises seven major housing groups on fire safety, said the principles of the policy are based on flats that contain a fire for at least 60 minutes, sometimes up to three hours, before the fire service arrives.
However, he said this “60-minute box” principle could go out of the window if major refurbishment works have taken place.
“If it’s your flat that’s on fire you evacuate, if it’s not your flat then you’re ‘normally’ safe to remain where you are,” he said. “The thing that conflicts with that is if there’s been some refurbishment work done and that has altered that compartmentation.”
Baird said major refurbishments could leave a building “like swiss cheese”, full of holes that would accelerate the spread of the blaze.
“If there’s evidence that the floors may have been reconfigured, heating systems may have gone in and external cladding has been fitted – that changes the parameters [of the advice to stay put],” he said.
Updated
at 3.45pm BST
2.06pm BST
14:06
Residents in Grenfell Tower were repeatedly reassured about fire safety by their landlord, according to local councillor Judith Blakeman.
She told the Press Association that residents had expressed concerns about fire safety in the block “over several years” and had constantly been reassured by Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO), which runs the council’s homes.
Blakeman said: “The residents have expressed concern over several years about the fire safety at the block and they’ve constantly been reassured, ‘No, it’s OK, your flat is secure for an hour unless you’re close to the fire. Stay in your flat and you’ll be rescued within the hour by the fire brigade.’
“The fire brigade have undertaken a recent inspection and said it’s OK, because the residents kept demanding it and we kept demanding it on behalf of the residents.
“Obviously I’ve raised these issues about Grenfell Tower at the board as well. It’s all, ‘Don’t worry, it’s OK.’
“We were told that in response to all concerns raised by residents they had invited the local fire station in to do a safety survey and they were content that everything was in order.”
Blakeman said KCTMO told her both its health and safety officers and the fire brigade had inspected the building and that everyone was “quite happy”.
She said: “But if the cladding was partly responsible for the fire we need to know what the specification for the cladding was and why it suddenly just went up [in flames] in about five minutes, because it should have been fire resistant, surely.”
Updated
at 2.39pm BST
2.04pm BST
14:04
Alexandra Topping
Firefighters in their gear at the scene said they could not speak freely but they had been in the fire, rescuing residents. Some had used up four oxygen canisters, known as BA (breathing apparatus), going in and out of the flames. Cuts to the fire service had taken a serious toll on operations, they said.
Put it this way, you’re meant to work on a fire for a maximum of four hours, we’ve been here for 12. Hopefully we’ll get home at some point before we have to come back tonight.
One firefighter said he’d never seen a fire like it.
And I hope I never do again. It would be unlucky to see this twice. It was surreal.
Updated
at 2.37pm BST