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| Version 37 | Version 38 |
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| London fire: Twelve confirmed dead but police expect further fatalities 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) | |
| 2.30am BST | |
| 02:30 | |
| Kensington and Chelsea Council’s deputy leader, Rock Feilding-Mellen, was asked on BBC’s Newsnight about residents’ worries about fire safety at the block. He said: “My understanding is that their concerns were looked at and officers and the TMO [tenant management organisation] made inquiries and felt we had done what was necessary.” | |
| We reported earlier that Kensington & Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) – which was paid £11m by the council to manage social housing in 2016 – had been reviewing fire safety procedures after previous incidents. | |
| It had previously suffered a fire that affected its Adair Tower, also in north Kensington – the result of arson – which saw residents suffer from smoke inhalation and forced some to be rehoused. | |
| The London fire brigade issued an enforcement notice, telling the organisation to install self-closing devices on the front doors of flats in that tower and the nearby Hazlewood Tower, which was built to the same design. | |
| 2.19am BST | |
| 02:19 | |
| Calla Wahlquist | |
| The cladding used as part of the Grenfell Tower refurbishment has been pinpointed as the source of high-rise apartment fires in Australia and other countries. | |
| A fire in 2014 at the Lacrosse building in Melbourne’s Docklands was strikingly similar to Wednesday’s disaster. Sparked by a cigarette on an eighth-floor balcony, the fire raced up 13 floors to the roof of the 21-storey building in 11 minutes. | |
| In a report into the investigation of the Lacrosse fire, the Melbourne Metropolitan Fire Brigade (MFB) said the rapid vertical spread of the fire was “directly associated” with the external cladding. | |
| “Had the external wall cladding been of a non-combustible type, the likelihood of fire spread beyond the level of ignition would have been greatly reduced,” it said. | |
| “Those of us that have been around for 30 years or more have never seen a fire develop in this way,” David Youssef, deputy chief fire officer for the MFB, said at the time. “We never expected to see a high rise fire, particularly one in a new building, that would spread so quickly from the eighth floor to the 21st floor.” | |
| The same type of cladding – an aluminium composite – was installed on the Grenfell Tower in 2016, as part of a £10m renovation. | |
| 2.12am BST | |
| 02:12 | |
| A remarkably broad relief effort is underway. The local council has said it needs no further offers of accommodation but a disaster fund has been set up. You can contribute here. | |
| A truck full of basic essentials like bottled water and nappies will leave Glasgow bound for London to help #GrenfellTower families. | |
| 2.03am BST | 2.03am BST |
| 02:03 | 02:03 |
| MIRROR: Deathtrap #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/BcDoLJQXrE | MIRROR: Deathtrap #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/BcDoLJQXrE |
| 2.02am BST | 2.02am BST |
| 02:02 | 02:02 |
| The Times focused on the speed with which the fire took hold and spread. | The Times focused on the speed with which the fire took hold and spread. |
| THE TIMES: Disaster in 15 minutes #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/RGqvkbW19x | THE TIMES: Disaster in 15 minutes #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/RGqvkbW19x |
| 1.59am BST | 1.59am BST |
| 01:59 | 01:59 |
| DAILY MAIL: How the hell could it happen? #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/D7L2lCNoxI | DAILY MAIL: How the hell could it happen? #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/D7L2lCNoxI |
| 1.58am BST | 1.58am BST |
| 01:58 | 01:58 |
| THE SUN: They were told it was safe #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/odq5kzBRdJ | THE SUN: They were told it was safe #tomorrowspaperstoday pic.twitter.com/odq5kzBRdJ |
| 1.56am BST | 1.56am BST |
| 01:56 | 01:56 |
| Thursday’s front pages have almost exclusively focused on the safety questions arising from the disaster. | Thursday’s front pages have almost exclusively focused on the safety questions arising from the disaster. |
| The Guardian front page, Thursday 15.06.17: The warnings were ignored pic.twitter.com/kYWKYaXPk5 | The Guardian front page, Thursday 15.06.17: The warnings were ignored pic.twitter.com/kYWKYaXPk5 |
| 1.46am BST | 1.46am BST |
| 01:46 | 01:46 |
| Summary | Summary |
| At least 12 people have died after a huge fire engulfed a tower block in west London at 1am on Wednesday. Police have said the death toll is likely to rise. | At least 12 people have died after a huge fire engulfed a tower block in west London at 1am on Wednesday. Police have said the death toll is likely to rise. |
| A huge relief effort has swung into action, with charity workers and volunteers providing aid for those affected by the fire. Residents have voiced their anger at a lack of coordination from the council or other authorities. | A huge relief effort has swung into action, with charity workers and volunteers providing aid for those affected by the fire. Residents have voiced their anger at a lack of coordination from the council or other authorities. |
| Transport for London suspended services on the Circle and Hammersmith and City tube lines between Hammersmith and Edgware Road. The A40 Westway is closed in both directions and there have been bus diversions. Check here for the latest transport updates. | Transport for London suspended services on the Circle and Hammersmith and City tube lines between Hammersmith and Edgware Road. The A40 Westway is closed in both directions and there have been bus diversions. Check here for the latest transport updates. |
| The tower is 24 storeys high and contains 120 flats. A local councillor said it is home to between 400 and 600 people. | The tower is 24 storeys high and contains 120 flats. A local councillor said it is home to between 400 and 600 people. |
| More than 200 firefighters tackled the blaze at its peak with more than 40 engines. | More than 200 firefighters tackled the blaze at its peak with more than 40 engines. |
| The London ambulance service said 68 patients were taken to six hospitals across London, 18 of whom are receiving critical care, while a further 10 patients self-presented at hospitals. | The London ambulance service said 68 patients were taken to six hospitals across London, 18 of whom are receiving critical care, while a further 10 patients self-presented at hospitals. |
| London fire brigade said it had reached the top of the tower block by early evening on Wednesday. No more survivors are expected to be found. Emergency services used drones to access the flats on the highest levels. | London fire brigade said it had reached the top of the tower block by early evening on Wednesday. No more survivors are expected to be found. Emergency services used drones to access the flats on the highest levels. |
| Pockets of fire were still burning on Wednesday evening and firefighters will remain on the scene overnight. | Pockets of fire were still burning on Wednesday evening and firefighters will remain on the scene overnight. |
| Witnesses described screams of terror and people jumping in an attempt to reach safety. | Witnesses described screams of terror and people jumping in an attempt to reach safety. |
| A baby was caught by a member of the public after being dropped from the ninth or 10th floor, a witness said. | A baby was caught by a member of the public after being dropped from the ninth or 10th floor, a witness said. |
| Streets around the tower have been sealed off and residents in their houses told to move out. | Streets around the tower have been sealed off and residents in their houses told to move out. |
| Falling debris also caused nearby flats to be evacuated. | Falling debris also caused nearby flats to be evacuated. |
| The fire brigade has called it an “unprecedented incident” and said the cause of the blaze is unknown. | The fire brigade has called it an “unprecedented incident” and said the cause of the blaze is unknown. |
| The Grenfell Action Group, a residents’ association, repeatedly warned about the risk of fire in the tower and claimed that a major blaze was narrowly averted after a power surge in 2013. The group said its concerns were dismissed. | The Grenfell Action Group, a residents’ association, repeatedly warned about the risk of fire in the tower and claimed that a major blaze was narrowly averted after a power surge in 2013. The group said its concerns were dismissed. |
| Experts said the fire spread at unusual speed and raised concerns whether the cladding may have contributed to this. The tower, which was built in 1974, recently underwent a major refurbishment. | Experts said the fire spread at unusual speed and raised concerns whether the cladding may have contributed to this. The tower, which was built in 1974, recently underwent a major refurbishment. |
| The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, declared the fire a major incident. | The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, declared the fire a major incident. |
| The Met has an emergency number for anyone concerned for loved ones. The Casualty Bureau number is 0800 0961 233. | The Met has an emergency number for anyone concerned for loved ones. The Casualty Bureau number is 0800 0961 233. |
| Updated | |
| at 2.36am BST | |
| 1.16am BST | 1.16am BST |
| 01:16 | 01:16 |
| Other thing noticeable tonight at Grenfell Tower was police on police line who had already worked 12 hours and were happy to stay on. | Other thing noticeable tonight at Grenfell Tower was police on police line who had already worked 12 hours and were happy to stay on. |
| 1.13am BST | 1.13am BST |
| 01:13 | 01:13 |
| The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has just issued a reminder that the Westway sports centre is open – a site that has been the scene of some confusion. | The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has just issued a reminder that the Westway sports centre is open – a site that has been the scene of some confusion. |
| And here are a list of emergency numbers if you have been affected by Wednesday’s events: | And here are a list of emergency numbers if you have been affected by Wednesday’s events: |
| For anyone concerned for loved ones, please call the casualty bureau on 0800 0961 233. | For anyone concerned for loved ones, please call the casualty bureau on 0800 0961 233. |
| Residents displaced due to the fire please call 020 7361 3008. | Residents displaced due to the fire please call 020 7361 3008. |
| If you would like to volunteer to help with the support effort please contact 020 7361 3008 and let the council know your skills. | If you would like to volunteer to help with the support effort please contact 020 7361 3008 and let the council know your skills. |
| Kensington leisure centre remains closed because it is being used as a rest stop and staging area to support the emergency services and the local community. | Kensington leisure centre remains closed because it is being used as a rest stop and staging area to support the emergency services and the local community. |
| Rest centre open at Westway Sports Centre, Crowthorne Rd, W10 6RP @MPSKenChel @metpoliceuk @LondonFire https://t.co/IZJIv15B0J | Rest centre open at Westway Sports Centre, Crowthorne Rd, W10 6RP @MPSKenChel @metpoliceuk @LondonFire https://t.co/IZJIv15B0J |
| 1.01am BST | 1.01am BST |
| 01:01 | 01:01 |
| Graham Russell here, taking over the liveblog from Kevin. Amid the continuing uncertainty and heartbreak in west London, residents have shown incredible resilience. In this video, one woman reserves praise for the younger generations in particular. She says: “I am so proud of the young people in this community. They have all come out and brought water, juice, clothes, nappies, everything.” | Graham Russell here, taking over the liveblog from Kevin. Amid the continuing uncertainty and heartbreak in west London, residents have shown incredible resilience. In this video, one woman reserves praise for the younger generations in particular. She says: “I am so proud of the young people in this community. They have all come out and brought water, juice, clothes, nappies, everything.” |
| If you have any updates as we go along, you can find me on Twitter @G_J_Russell | If you have any updates as we go along, you can find me on Twitter @G_J_Russell |
| 12.50am BST | 12.50am BST |
| 00:50 | 00:50 |
| Lisa O'Carroll | Lisa O'Carroll |
| George Clarke, an architect and TV presenter and a local resident who lives 50 yards from the tower, said the cladding had was “peeling off ... like a banana”. | George Clarke, an architect and TV presenter and a local resident who lives 50 yards from the tower, said the cladding had was “peeling off ... like a banana”. |
| I walked out the door and I couldn’t believe what I saw. All the way to the top was on fire on the corner. I’m assuming the fire started on the other side, the side I couldn’t see, the east side of the tower. | I walked out the door and I couldn’t believe what I saw. All the way to the top was on fire on the corner. I’m assuming the fire started on the other side, the side I couldn’t see, the east side of the tower. |
| I’ve never seen a fire spread like that in a building in my life. The biggest problem is the outside. That building was re-clad last summer in 2016, spend £10m on it. I don’t care what anyone says, there’s no way that fire should spread that quickly on a newly refurbished building. | I’ve never seen a fire spread like that in a building in my life. The biggest problem is the outside. That building was re-clad last summer in 2016, spend £10m on it. I don’t care what anyone says, there’s no way that fire should spread that quickly on a newly refurbished building. |
| I saw those cladding panels, the cladding on the outside and the insulation was just peeling off, like you’d peel a banana. | I saw those cladding panels, the cladding on the outside and the insulation was just peeling off, like you’d peel a banana. |
| It was fully on fire. I could see the flames behind - there’s a new cladding system put on the outsides that looks like a new skin, there’s an air gap an insulation behind that, to me that looks like a fantastic chimney for the fire to rage around. | It was fully on fire. I could see the flames behind - there’s a new cladding system put on the outsides that looks like a new skin, there’s an air gap an insulation behind that, to me that looks like a fantastic chimney for the fire to rage around. |
| 11.44pm BST | 11.44pm BST |
| 23:44 | 23:44 |
| Scotland Yard says a 43-year-old man has been arrested over allegations he posted pictures of a Grenfell Tower victim on social media. | Scotland Yard says a 43-year-old man has been arrested over allegations he posted pictures of a Grenfell Tower victim on social media. |
| Images were posted of what appear to be a partially-covered body. The Metropolitan Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of sending malicious communications and obstructing a coroner. Officers confirmed the arrest relates to the fire at Grenfell Tower and the man is in custody at a west London police station. | Images were posted of what appear to be a partially-covered body. The Metropolitan Police said a man was arrested on suspicion of sending malicious communications and obstructing a coroner. Officers confirmed the arrest relates to the fire at Grenfell Tower and the man is in custody at a west London police station. |
| 10.37pm BST | 10.37pm BST |
| 22:37 | 22:37 |
| The charity commission has urged people wanting to help to give to registered charities. Its registrar of charities, David Holdsworth, said: | The charity commission has urged people wanting to help to give to registered charities. Its registrar of charities, David Holdsworth, said: |
| We are saddened to hear of the tragic events in West London. There are many registered charities on the ground doing what they do best to assist those who have been affected. We are urging members of the public that wish to make donations to check that they give to a registered charity in order to best support those affected, and also importantly to check with those charities what support they need – whether that is money, time or other essential supplies. | We are saddened to hear of the tragic events in West London. There are many registered charities on the ground doing what they do best to assist those who have been affected. We are urging members of the public that wish to make donations to check that they give to a registered charity in order to best support those affected, and also importantly to check with those charities what support they need – whether that is money, time or other essential supplies. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 10.38pm BST | at 10.38pm BST |
| 10.34pm BST | 10.34pm BST |
| 22:34 | 22:34 |
| Companies, individuals and charities have sprung into action to offer help to anyone affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, with crowdfunding pages raising more than £670,000 in less than 24 hours. The Press Association has summarised some of the efforts being made: | Companies, individuals and charities have sprung into action to offer help to anyone affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, with crowdfunding pages raising more than £670,000 in less than 24 hours. The Press Association has summarised some of the efforts being made: |
| Crowdfunding | Crowdfunding |
| An appeal on JustGiving launched by Karolina Hanusova had raised £240,000 by 10pm, while another set up by Hayley Yearwood has generated £312,857. | An appeal on JustGiving launched by Karolina Hanusova had raised £240,000 by 10pm, while another set up by Hayley Yearwood has generated £312,857. |
| A series of pages on GoFundMe had raised a combined fund of more than £170,000. | A series of pages on GoFundMe had raised a combined fund of more than £170,000. |
| Individuals offer up homes | Individuals offer up homes |
| People used Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to offer accommodation and transport help to those affected. | People used Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to offer accommodation and transport help to those affected. |
| Just called @RBKC and left my details. They are looking for emergency housing. I have offered my place. Do the same if you can #Grenfell | Just called @RBKC and left my details. They are looking for emergency housing. I have offered my place. Do the same if you can #Grenfell |
| Please get in contact.. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️ #grenfelltower #lancaster #westestate | Please get in contact.. 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾❤️❤️❤️ #grenfelltower #lancaster #westestate |
| A post shared by LAMS (@co._lams) on Jun 13, 2017 at 8:36pm PDT | A post shared by LAMS (@co._lams) on Jun 13, 2017 at 8:36pm PDT |
| Local businesses | Local businesses |
| Businesses at the nearby Notting Dale Village brought trolleys of refreshments including sandwiches and fruit to the emergency services working at the cordons. | Businesses at the nearby Notting Dale Village brought trolleys of refreshments including sandwiches and fruit to the emergency services working at the cordons. |
| The phone company, EE, said people were welcome to use their stores in the local area if they need to contact anyone or use social media. | The phone company, EE, said people were welcome to use their stores in the local area if they need to contact anyone or use social media. |
| And TalkTalk, whose headquarters are on Evesham Street, close to the tower block, said it had thrown open its offices to affected residents in need of refuge. | And TalkTalk, whose headquarters are on Evesham Street, close to the tower block, said it had thrown open its offices to affected residents in need of refuge. |
| Retailer Monsoon, which is based next door, is also offering refreshments to those affected. | Retailer Monsoon, which is based next door, is also offering refreshments to those affected. |
| The London Evening Standard has launched an appeal on a dedicated website dispossessedfund.org.uk. | The London Evening Standard has launched an appeal on a dedicated website dispossessedfund.org.uk. |
| Football clubs | Football clubs |
| Queens Park Rangers and Fulham rushed to support those left homeless. QPR said it had opened its doors and facilities to those affected by the fire, but also said it could not accept any more donations, while Fulham also helped with the collection drive. | Queens Park Rangers and Fulham rushed to support those left homeless. QPR said it had opened its doors and facilities to those affected by the fire, but also said it could not accept any more donations, while Fulham also helped with the collection drive. |
| 9.53pm BST | 9.53pm BST |
| 21:53 | 21:53 |
| Lisa O'Carroll | Lisa O'Carroll |
| Incredible. Fire still visible on 10 floors almost 24 hours after blaze started in Grenfall Tower pic.twitter.com/MZtVvk2LpM | Incredible. Fire still visible on 10 floors almost 24 hours after blaze started in Grenfall Tower pic.twitter.com/MZtVvk2LpM |
| Kensington and Chelsea council has taken charge of operations at the Westway Sports Centre.Westway trust’s head of communications, Alex Russell, said about 10 to 15 families had already availed of the 300 bed emergency shelter they had set up. | Kensington and Chelsea council has taken charge of operations at the Westway Sports Centre.Westway trust’s head of communications, Alex Russell, said about 10 to 15 families had already availed of the 300 bed emergency shelter they had set up. |
| Kensington and Chelsea council also organising bedding at the Town Hall, volunteers have told me. Still seems a bit chaotic | Kensington and Chelsea council also organising bedding at the Town Hall, volunteers have told me. Still seems a bit chaotic |
| We are overwhelmed by generosity of community. At this point we ask you to hold off on further donations while we prioritise #grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/9CVubrkfkA | We are overwhelmed by generosity of community. At this point we ask you to hold off on further donations while we prioritise #grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/9CVubrkfkA |
| The gym converted into emergency shelter for Grenfall Tower disaster pic.twitter.com/fcWX4n9hOk | The gym converted into emergency shelter for Grenfall Tower disaster pic.twitter.com/fcWX4n9hOk |
| Locals in the shadow of the Grenfall disaster prepare to break the fast at 9.30. pic.twitter.com/h9Rh7FgyJg | Locals in the shadow of the Grenfall disaster prepare to break the fast at 9.30. pic.twitter.com/h9Rh7FgyJg |
| Two ladies who brought toiletries and other goods in lovely gift bags so it would create more dignity. So thoughtful pic.twitter.com/h2ZEYiQNtN | Two ladies who brought toiletries and other goods in lovely gift bags so it would create more dignity. So thoughtful pic.twitter.com/h2ZEYiQNtN |