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London fire: people trapped as major blaze engulfs tower block – latest London fire: people trapped as major blaze engulfs tower block – latest
(35 minutes later)
7.12am BST
07:12
Residents repeatedly warned of fire risk
Matthew Weaver
A resident group repeatedly warned of a fire risk at Grenfell Tower and claimed a major fire was narrowly averted after a power surge in 2013.
The Grenfell Action Group says its concerns were dismissed by Kensington and Chelsea council, which owns the block, and and the local tenant management organisation [KCTMO], which runs the borough’s homes.
In a blogpost last November, it wrote:
It is our conviction that a serious fire in a tower block or similar high density residential property is the most likely reason that those who wield power at the KCTMO will be found out and brought to justice! The Grenfell Action Group believe that the KCTMO narrowly averted a major fire disaster at Grenfell Tower in 2013 when residents experienced a period of terrifying power surges that were subsequently found to have been caused by faulty wiring. We believe that our attempts to highlight the seriousness of this event were covered up by the KCTMO with the help of the RBKC scrutiny Committee who refused to investigate the legitimate concerns of tenants and leaseholders.
We believe that these investigations will become part of damning evidence of the poor safety record of the KCTMO should a fire affect any other of their properties and cause the loss of life that we are predicting ...
In the last twenty years and despite the terrifying power surge incident in 2013 and recent fire at Adair Tower, the residents of Grenfell Tower have received no proper fire safety instructions from the KCTMO. Residents were informed by a temporary notice stuck in the lift and one announcement in a recent regeneration newsletter that they should remain in their flats in the event of fire. There are not and never have been any instructions posted in the Grenfell Tower noticeboard or on individual floor as to how residents should act in event of a fire. Anyone who witnessed the recent tower block fire at Shepherds Court, in nearby Shepherd’s Bush, will know that the advice to remain in our properties would have led to certain fatalities and we are calling on our landlord to re-consider the advice that they have so badly circulated.
The Grenfell Action Group predict that it won’t be long before the words of this blog come back to haunt the KCTMO management and we will do everything in our power to ensure that those in authority know how long and how appallingly our landlord has ignored their responsibility to ensure the heath and safety of their tenants and leaseholders. They can’t say that they haven’t been warned!
Updated
at 7.18am BST
7.12am BST
07:12
The London ambulance service has set up an emergency rest centre for those who have been evacuated from their homes. Residents of about 30 flats near the scene were told to leave their homes.
An emergency rest centre for those evacuated has been set up by @RBKC at the Harrow Centre, Freston Road#NorthKensington #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/sOUltqy9KD
Assed Baig of Channel 4 News took this photograph of men from east London, representing the Suffa Global charitable giving initiative, delivering supplies to people affected by the blaze.
Guys from east london turned up with food, water and sanitary items for those evacuated from the tower block #grenfellfire pic.twitter.com/jGp6cO23Zm
Updated
at 7.18am BST
7.00am BST
07:00
Emergency hotline set up
The Metropolitan police has set up an emergency number for anyone who is concerned their friends or family might be affected in the Grenfell Tower blaze in Kensington.
An emergency number has been set up for anyone concerned for loved ones in #NorthKensington fire please call Casualty Bureau 0800 0961 233
Updated
at 7.10am BST
6.55am BST
06:55
Residents tell of escaping the Grenfell Tower
Alice Ross
Residents of Grenfell Tower who managed to escape the fire that ravaged their building early on Wednesday morning have described how they fled as the blaze took hold.
The survivors, whose belongings are presumed to have been destroyed, gathered in the nearby Rugby Portobello community centre where they were given water, clothes and blankets.
At least 200 firefighters and 40 engines are on the scene of the huge fire at Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road, near Notting Hill, in West London. One resident, who did not want to give his name, said he first heard a neighbour’s smoke alarm and “thought nothing of it”, but realised something was wrong when he heard a neighbour shouting.
“I’m lucky to be alive – and lots of people have not got out of the building,” he told Guardian. “I’ve lost everything I own. I’m standing here in everything I’ve got.”
Updated
at 7.18am BST
6.52am BST
06:52
A man who lived on the fourth floor of the Grenfell tower has told Sky News UK: “there was no bell”. The first alarm he heard, he said, was when he and his family were outside the building and it was in flames.
The only reason he and his family knew to flee was because someone else escaping the building knocked on every door on their floor on their way out.
This man lives inside #GrenfellTower, which caught fire overnight. He rescued a little girl from the west London tower block pic.twitter.com/TPBUJTXDGz
This man said he did hear alarms, but they were “very, very quiet”. He was on the verge of falling asleep in his home on the seventh floor when he smelled burning plastic – he only realised the building was on fire when he opened the kitchen window and heard, “it’s getting bigger, it’s getting bigger”.
6.40am BST6.40am BST
06:4006:40
London fire brigade has updated its statement on the fire:London fire brigade has updated its statement on the fire:
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.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.
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 cause of the fire is not known at this stage.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.
A cordon is in place around the building & approx 30 adjacent flats have been evacuated by police #NorthKensington https://t.co/QYF9V38wWJ pic.twitter.com/ugvDFswb7wA cordon is in place around the building & approx 30 adjacent flats have been evacuated by police #NorthKensington https://t.co/QYF9V38wWJ pic.twitter.com/ugvDFswb7w
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.42am BSTat 6.42am BST
6.35am BST6.35am BST
06:3506:35
Alice RossAlice Ross
Siar Naqshabandi, at the Rugby Portobello centre, said he lives on the third floor and said his brother, who was in the building, heard no fire alarms. “I came back at about 1.45am and saw the building was on fire. I rang him [his brother] and said, get out.”Siar Naqshabandi, at the Rugby Portobello centre, said he lives on the third floor and said his brother, who was in the building, heard no fire alarms. “I came back at about 1.45am and saw the building was on fire. I rang him [his brother] and said, get out.”
He has more family living on the 23rd floor and an uncle is still missing. “They were telling people not to leave the building,” he said. “I told them to get down. They said we’re not allowed to get out.”He has more family living on the 23rd floor and an uncle is still missing. “They were telling people not to leave the building,” he said. “I told them to get down. They said we’re not allowed to get out.”
The fire at Grenfell Tower is still raging pic.twitter.com/TTvI9ehMIgThe fire at Grenfell Tower is still raging pic.twitter.com/TTvI9ehMIg
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.36am BSTat 6.36am BST
6.32am BST6.32am BST
06:3206:32
Two people have told Alice Ross, the Guardian reporter at the scene, that they heard no fire alarms – only household smoke alarms.Two people have told Alice Ross, the Guardian reporter at the scene, that they heard no fire alarms – only household smoke alarms.
This man spoke to Assed Baig, a journalist with Channel 4 News, about his escape from his home on the 17th floor of Grenfell Tower with his 68-year-old aunt. We’ve not yet been able to independently verify his suggestion that the building had no central fire alarm, or that the cladding was especially flammable.This man spoke to Assed Baig, a journalist with Channel 4 News, about his escape from his home on the 17th floor of Grenfell Tower with his 68-year-old aunt. We’ve not yet been able to independently verify his suggestion that the building had no central fire alarm, or that the cladding was especially flammable.
“We saw the fire engines, so we were looking outside at what’s going on. There was no fire alarms anywhere, because we don’t have a kind of integrated fire system – it’s just everyone’s house for itself. I walked out into the common area to see if the lifts are moving, to see if people are in a hassle – nothing. But I could smell the smoke.“We saw the fire engines, so we were looking outside at what’s going on. There was no fire alarms anywhere, because we don’t have a kind of integrated fire system – it’s just everyone’s house for itself. I walked out into the common area to see if the lifts are moving, to see if people are in a hassle – nothing. But I could smell the smoke.
“I went back inside the house, looked out the window. I started looking down the window – I had to really pull myself out to look down the window, from the 17th floor, and I see the fire blazing, and coming up really fast, because of the cladding – the cladding was really flammable, and it just caught up like a matchstick.”“I went back inside the house, looked out the window. I started looking down the window – I had to really pull myself out to look down the window, from the 17th floor, and I see the fire blazing, and coming up really fast, because of the cladding – the cladding was really flammable, and it just caught up like a matchstick.”
This man managed to escape from the 17th floor with his 68-year-old aunt. He told me how he got out #LatimerRoad pic.twitter.com/d4miXigfN3This man managed to escape from the 17th floor with his 68-year-old aunt. He told me how he got out #LatimerRoad pic.twitter.com/d4miXigfN3
Walking with his aunt – “step by step, slowly, slowly” – down the smoke-filled stairwell from the 17th floor was terrifying, he says. “The smoke was already strong when I was getting out – god knows how it would have been minutes after.”Walking with his aunt – “step by step, slowly, slowly” – down the smoke-filled stairwell from the 17th floor was terrifying, he says. “The smoke was already strong when I was getting out – god knows how it would have been minutes after.”
He lost everything in the fire.He lost everything in the fire.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.45am BST at 6.47am BST
6.24am BST6.24am BST
06:2406:24
Ambulance: 30 patients taken to five hospitalsAmbulance: 30 patients taken to five hospitals
London ambulance service has confirmed that 30 patients have been taken to five hospitals.London ambulance service has confirmed that 30 patients have been taken to five hospitals.
We have taken 30 patients to five London hospitals following the fire at #GrenfellTower & we remain on scene pic.twitter.com/lxfRseAIkgWe have taken 30 patients to five London hospitals following the fire at #GrenfellTower & we remain on scene pic.twitter.com/lxfRseAIkg
The fire at Grenfell Tower remains a major incident and more than 20 ambulance crews remain at the scene, working with other emergency services. “Our priority is to assess the level and nature of injuries and ensure those in the most need are treated first and taken to hospitals.”The fire at Grenfell Tower remains a major incident and more than 20 ambulance crews remain at the scene, working with other emergency services. “Our priority is to assess the level and nature of injuries and ensure those in the most need are treated first and taken to hospitals.”
The building is still completely on fire, five hours after it first broke out pic.twitter.com/AZJnhu4UuwThe building is still completely on fire, five hours after it first broke out pic.twitter.com/AZJnhu4Uuw
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.41am BSTat 6.41am BST
6.20am BST6.20am BST
06:2006:20
Alice RossAlice Ross
Ahmed Chellat had come to the Rugby Portobello centre with his wife to look for his brother-in-law, his wife and three children. “We don’t know what’s happened,” he said. “I asked him to come out and he couldn’t. He was advised to put towels under the doors and he said they will come for him. We’ve heard nothing.Ahmed Chellat had come to the Rugby Portobello centre with his wife to look for his brother-in-law, his wife and three children. “We don’t know what’s happened,” he said. “I asked him to come out and he couldn’t. He was advised to put towels under the doors and he said they will come for him. We’ve heard nothing.
“Last time we spoke to them was about 2.30am – he said the fire brigade’s coming up to me.”“Last time we spoke to them was about 2.30am – he said the fire brigade’s coming up to me.”
Chellat continued: “The whole issue here is for five hours we’ve been here with my sister-in-law and some tenants. There’s no councillors, no TMO [the tenants’ organisation] to say exactly what’s going on. If it wasn’t for the local people we would be in the street. This is ridiculous. There’s no one to tell them what to do.”Chellat continued: “The whole issue here is for five hours we’ve been here with my sister-in-law and some tenants. There’s no councillors, no TMO [the tenants’ organisation] to say exactly what’s going on. If it wasn’t for the local people we would be in the street. This is ridiculous. There’s no one to tell them what to do.”
Cllr Aicha Less, from neighbouring Westminster, was delivering water and blankets to the centre and described the situation as a “complete shambles”. “There’s been no steer, no guidance,” she said. “People have been left there, they don’t know if their relatives are in the block or not.”Cllr Aicha Less, from neighbouring Westminster, was delivering water and blankets to the centre and described the situation as a “complete shambles”. “There’s been no steer, no guidance,” she said. “People have been left there, they don’t know if their relatives are in the block or not.”
Some people have said names are being gathered at the nearby Harrow Club, while the Red Cross is giving out clothes at St Clements Church, one of the places evacuated people have been sent to.Some people have said names are being gathered at the nearby Harrow Club, while the Red Cross is giving out clothes at St Clements Church, one of the places evacuated people have been sent to.
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.43am BSTat 6.43am BST
6.15am BST6.15am BST
06:1506:15
Alice RossAlice Ross
Some residents of the tower are at a makeshift centre in the Rugby Portobello, a community centre, where people are delivering water and blankets. Others have come to offer their houses to those in need.Some residents of the tower are at a makeshift centre in the Rugby Portobello, a community centre, where people are delivering water and blankets. Others have come to offer their houses to those in need.
One resident, who did not want to give his name but said he lived “high up” in the tower, said no alarms went off as the fire started.One resident, who did not want to give his name but said he lived “high up” in the tower, said no alarms went off as the fire started.
“I heard my neighbour’s smoke alarm go off, and thought nothing of it. Then I heard a neighbour shouting ... I’m lucky to be alive – and lots of people have not got out of the building,” he said. “I’ve lost everything I own. I’m standing here in everything I’ve got.”“I heard my neighbour’s smoke alarm go off, and thought nothing of it. Then I heard a neighbour shouting ... I’m lucky to be alive – and lots of people have not got out of the building,” he said. “I’ve lost everything I own. I’m standing here in everything I’ve got.”
The building was an “accident waiting to happen”, he said, and there was not enough space at the base for fire engines to attend the scene.The building was an “accident waiting to happen”, he said, and there was not enough space at the base for fire engines to attend the scene.
He and others criticised the lack of information they were receiving. “There’s no coordination from anyone,” he said. “The police have not come to speak to us. We’ve been unable to give anyone our names. “It’s been five hours. There’s people here who don’t have a clue if their relatives are alive or dead.”He and others criticised the lack of information they were receiving. “There’s no coordination from anyone,” he said. “The police have not come to speak to us. We’ve been unable to give anyone our names. “It’s been five hours. There’s people here who don’t have a clue if their relatives are alive or dead.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 6.44am BSTat 6.44am BST
6.00am BST6.00am BST
06:0006:00
Council head: 'several hundred' in tower blockCouncil head: 'several hundred' in tower block
Nick Paget-Brown, the leader of the Kensington and Chelsea council, has spoken on Sky News UK, saying that he was working to establish how many people were in the tower block at the time of the fire. Nick Paget-Brown, the leader of Kensington and Chelsea council, has spoken on Sky News UK, saying he was working to establish how many people were in the tower block at the time of the fire. “Several hundred would have been in there. It’s a question of establishing how many were in there at the time of the fire,” he said.
“Several hundred would have been in there. It’s a question of establishing how many were in there at the time of the fire.”
He said emergency centres had been set up nearby to accommodate people who had been evacuated from their homes. “We’re providing as much support as we can ... it’s quite hard to get accurate and up-to-date information but the council will be doing all that it can to work with residents who have been evacuated.”He said emergency centres had been set up nearby to accommodate people who had been evacuated from their homes. “We’re providing as much support as we can ... it’s quite hard to get accurate and up-to-date information but the council will be doing all that it can to work with residents who have been evacuated.”
Paget-Brown said he had not spoken to residents who had been evacuated, but said were some being treated by emergency services. Paget-Brown said he had not spoken to residents who had been evacuated, but said were some being treated by emergency services. “I think at the moment the main priority is to make the building safe and ensure that residents we can evacuate are evacuated.”
“I think at the moment the main priority is to make the building safe and ensure that residents we can evacuate are evacuated.”
He said he did not know whether people were trapped within the building: “That’s a matter for the emergency services.”He said he did not know whether people were trapped within the building: “That’s a matter for the emergency services.”
Paget-Brown had toured the building last May following a multi-million-dollar refurbishment. “I’m really not in any position to answer any questions about the structure. ... Clearly there’s a lot more work to do to actually evacuate the building and to establish how safe it is. Paget-Brown had toured the building last May following a multimillion-dollar refurbishment. “I’m really not in any position to answer any questions about the structure ... Clearly there’s a lot more work to do to actually evacuate the building and to establish how safe it is. This is a very, very, very severe fire.”
“This is a very, very, very severe fire.”
He said the tower block was inspected at the time of its renovation last year. “We will have to await the studies as to what the source of this has been.”He said the tower block was inspected at the time of its renovation last year. “We will have to await the studies as to what the source of this has been.”
Updated
at 6.48am BST
5.52am BST5.52am BST
05:5205:52
Jody Martin said he got to the scene as the first fire engine was arriving at Grenfell Tower. Jody Martin said he got to the scene as the first fire engine was arriving at Grenfell Tower. He told the BBC: “I grabbed an axe from the fire truck, it looked like there was a bit of confusion about what to do. I ran around the building looking for a fire escape and couldn’t see any noticeable fire escapes around the building. A lot of debris falling down.
He told the BBC: “I grabbed an axe from the fire truck, it looked like there was a bit of confusion about what to do. “I eventually gained entry on to the second floor, and once I got to the corridor I realised there was so much smoke there.” He added that given the thickness of the smoke, he would be surprised if anyone could have left the building without assistance.
“I ran around the building looking for a fire escape and couldn’t see any noticeable fire escapes around the building. A lot of debris falling down.
“I eventually gained entry onto the second floor, and once I got to the corridor I realised there was so much smoke there.”
He added that given the thickness of the smoke, he would be surprised if anyone could have left the building without assistance.
“I watched one person falling out, I watched another woman holding her baby out the window ... hearing screams, I was yelling everyone to get down and they were saying, ‘We can’t leave our apartments, the smoke is too bad on the corridors’,” he said.“I watched one person falling out, I watched another woman holding her baby out the window ... hearing screams, I was yelling everyone to get down and they were saying, ‘We can’t leave our apartments, the smoke is too bad on the corridors’,” he said.
Updated
at 6.47am BST
5.48am BST5.48am BST
05:4805:48
As daylight breaks on #LatimerRoad, the fires are still raging. pic.twitter.com/P1KFzDp2PWAs daylight breaks on #LatimerRoad, the fires are still raging. pic.twitter.com/P1KFzDp2PW
5.47am BST5.47am BST
05:4705:47
Saint Clement Church and Saint James Church, a parish covering Notting Dale, Notting Hill, North Kensington, and Holland Park, is receiving people who have been evacuated from their homes. St Clement Church and St James Church, a parish covering Notting Dale, Notting Hill, North Kensington, and Holland Park, is receiving people who have been evacuated from their homes.
St clement and st James church opens its doors to people who've been evacuated and other locals pic.twitter.com/2MIAh46ZT5St clement and st James church opens its doors to people who've been evacuated and other locals pic.twitter.com/2MIAh46ZT5
Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has confirmed that he is in close contact with emergency services. Sadiq Khan, the mayor of London, has confirmed he is in close contact with emergency services.
I'm in close contact with @LFBCommissioner re #NorthKensington fire. @LondonFire @Ldn_Ambulance @Metpoliceuk working together at the scene.I'm in close contact with @LFBCommissioner re #NorthKensington fire. @LondonFire @Ldn_Ambulance @Metpoliceuk working together at the scene.
Updated
at 6.49am BST
5.40am BST5.40am BST
05:4005:40
The Metropolitan Police have clarified that it is the A40 that is closed in both directions – I’ve corrected my earlier post.The Metropolitan Police have clarified that it is the A40 that is closed in both directions – I’ve corrected my earlier post.
A40 Westway btwn Northern Rbt & Marylebone Rd - The road has been closed in both directions due to an emergency services Incident.A40 Westway btwn Northern Rbt & Marylebone Rd - The road has been closed in both directions due to an emergency services Incident.
There is no service between Hammersmith and Edgware Road on the Hammersmith and City Line, and severe delays elsewhere on the line. The fire is close to the Latimer Road tube station.There is no service between Hammersmith and Edgware Road on the Hammersmith and City Line, and severe delays elsewhere on the line. The fire is close to the Latimer Road tube station.
No service between Hammersmith and Edgware Road due to a fire at Latimer Road. Severe delays on the rest of the line.No service between Hammersmith and Edgware Road due to a fire at Latimer Road. Severe delays on the rest of the line.
5.23am BST5.23am BST
05:2305:23
This footage, only just shared on Twitter by Celeste Thomas, shows chaos on the streets at 1.50am, within an hour of emergency services being called to the blaze.This footage, only just shared on Twitter by Celeste Thomas, shows chaos on the streets at 1.50am, within an hour of emergency services being called to the blaze.
“People in night clothes, no shoes, crying, looking for family.”“People in night clothes, no shoes, crying, looking for family.”
Taken at 1.50am. People in night clothes, no shoes, crying, looking for family. #GrenfellFire #LondonFire pic.twitter.com/36AkIFMlJbTaken at 1.50am. People in night clothes, no shoes, crying, looking for family. #GrenfellFire #LondonFire pic.twitter.com/36AkIFMlJb
Thomas lives nearby the tower block and had earlier posted footage of the fire. Her house is inside the police cordon, she tweeted in the last few minutes, and she had been told to stay inside with the windows shut.Thomas lives nearby the tower block and had earlier posted footage of the fire. Her house is inside the police cordon, she tweeted in the last few minutes, and she had been told to stay inside with the windows shut.
5.19am BST5.19am BST
05:1905:19
Neither police, ambulance nor the fire brigade have given specifics about injuries, but multiple eyewitness accounts – including that of the Guardian reporter on the scene, Alice Ross – have spoken of people being trapped inside the building.Neither police, ambulance nor the fire brigade have given specifics about injuries, but multiple eyewitness accounts – including that of the Guardian reporter on the scene, Alice Ross – have spoken of people being trapped inside the building.
Local man and witness, Tim Downie, told the Guardian it seemed impossible that there would not be fatalities. “The sheer scale and the speed with which it spread, the closer you got, it seems like there must be casualties and fatalities.”Local man and witness, Tim Downie, told the Guardian it seemed impossible that there would not be fatalities. “The sheer scale and the speed with which it spread, the closer you got, it seems like there must be casualties and fatalities.”
By 5am, he said, the building was almost entirely burned out and the fire was sending a huge plume of acrid black smoke into the sky.By 5am, he said, the building was almost entirely burned out and the fire was sending a huge plume of acrid black smoke into the sky.
“It has gone very quiet now, we heard a lot of sirens and screaming in the early hours, but now the building is pretty much all consumed. I hope everyone is out and being treated.”“It has gone very quiet now, we heard a lot of sirens and screaming in the early hours, but now the building is pretty much all consumed. I hope everyone is out and being treated.”
He also told of seeing people using their mobile phone lights to get the attention of rescue crews.He also told of seeing people using their mobile phone lights to get the attention of rescue crews.
Updated
at 6.50am BST