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London fire: 'number of fatalities' as blaze engulfs tower block – latest London fire: 'number of fatalities' as blaze engulfs tower block – latest
(35 minutes later)
8.30am BST
08:30
50 injured
The number of people taken to hospital has increased to 50, according to the latest from the London Ambulance Service.
We have now taken over 50 patients to five hospitals across London following the fire at #GrenfellTower Tower. pic.twitter.com/Lt4AFEvQrP
8.29am BST
08:29
The Metropolitan Police has confirmed there at “a number” of people have been killed in the fire. In its latest statement it also said the cause of the blaze is likely to take some time to confirm.
Our latest statement in relation to the #NorthKensington fire on #Latimerroad this morning #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/plfXY8VWBF
8.26am BST
08:26
Estate resident Ahmed Chellat, who spoke to Alice earlier, has been told that his relatives are safe after they were told to stay in their 21st storey flat with wet towels under the doors.
His sister, brother-in-law, and their two children were advised to stay in the flat and that help was on its way. He told ITV they were safe.
Chellat confirmed that residents of the estate have had concerns about fire safety for years. He said: “It has been going on for quite some time regarding the safety of the tower. I live in the estate. The safety of the blocks has been a concern for a long time not just now.”
A £9.7m refurbishment project on Grenfell Tower was completed last year.
A summary of the project before it began said:
The large scale works which includes an upgrade of the cladding to the exterior of the building, new windows, a totally new heating and lobby smoke ventilation system all of which will greatly enhance the energy efficiency of the tower and contribute to reducing resident’s living costs ...
The lobby smoke ventilation system has been designed to provide the existing stairwell with protection from the ingress of smoke from a fire within a dwelling by means of a mechanical extract system.
Chellat said the new cladding appeared to contribute to the blaze.
He said: “I’m not an expert but I think the plastic [cladding] they put outside really triggered the fire. By the time I went out, the plastic was exploding. Half the building was in flames and was all the plastic which was bubbling and blowing.”
8.00am BST
08:00
Here is Cotton’s statement:
This is an unprecedented incident. In my 29 years of being a firefighter I have never ever seen anything of this scale. Firefighters are working very hard at the moment.
This is a major fire that affected all floors of this 24-storey building from the second floor upwards. I have over 200 of my firefighters and officers attending this incident, with 40 fire engines and a range of specialist vehicles, including 14 fire rescue units. We declared this a major incident very early this morning … the first call coming in at 12.54. Our first fire engines were on the scene in under six minutes.
Crews wearing breathing apparatus and extended duration breathing apparatus have been working in extremely challenging and very difficult conditions to rescue people and bring this major fire under control.
London ambulance service have confirmed that 30 people have been taken to five hospitals.
I am very sad to confirm that there have been a number of fatalities. I cannot confirm the number at this time due to the size and complexity of this building. It would clearly be wrong for me to speculate further.
Equally, the cause of this fire is not known at this stage.
We are working very closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan police and the London ambulance service to bring this situation under control.
Further information will be made available shortly including advice for those concerned about those who are working here and people who live here.
Updated
at 8.07am BST
7.49am BST7.49am BST
07:4907:49
Fatalities confirmedFatalities confirmed
London fire commissioner Dany Cotton is giving a statement. She said fire fighters arrived within six minutes.London fire commissioner Dany Cotton is giving a statement. She said fire fighters arrived within six minutes.
She confirms that there have been a number of fatalities. She could not confirm numbers because of the complexity of the building.She confirms that there have been a number of fatalities. She could not confirm numbers because of the complexity of the building.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.56am BST at 8.02am BST
7.27am BST7.27am BST
07:2707:27
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Elle HuntElle Hunt
If you’re just waking up, here’s what you need to know about the devastating blaze at Grenfell Tower.If you’re just waking up, here’s what you need to know about the devastating blaze at Grenfell Tower.
The apartment block on the Lancaster West estate in north Kensington continues to burn after the fire brigade was alerted shortly before 1am Wednesday.The apartment block on the Lancaster West estate in north Kensington continues to burn after the fire brigade was alerted shortly before 1am Wednesday.
Forty fire engines and over 200 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze through the early morning, “working extremely hard in very difficult conditions” to tackle the “large and very serious incident”.Forty fire engines and over 200 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze through the early morning, “working extremely hard in very difficult conditions” to tackle the “large and very serious incident”.
Though many witnesses said they saw people trapped inside their homes, emergency services gave no further details beyond saying that 30 patients were taken to five hospitals.Though many witnesses said they saw people trapped inside their homes, emergency services gave no further details beyond saying that 30 patients were taken to five hospitals.
The fire brigade is expected to give an update soon; areas of the building are still on fire, prompting concerns it may collapse.The fire brigade is expected to give an update soon; areas of the building are still on fire, prompting concerns it may collapse.
About 30 flats in the surrounding area have been evacuated and emergency rest centres have been set up for those told to leave their homes.About 30 flats in the surrounding area have been evacuated and emergency rest centres have been set up for those told to leave their homes.
Police have set up an emergency number for people concerned for friends and families on 0800 0961 233.Police have set up an emergency number for people concerned for friends and families on 0800 0961 233.
A resident group repeatedly warned of a fire risk at the tower, claiming that a major fire had been narrowly averted after a power surge in 2013.A resident group repeatedly warned of a fire risk at the tower, claiming that a major fire had been narrowly averted after a power surge in 2013.
The building recently underwent significant, multimillion-pound renovations that concluded in early 2016.The building recently underwent significant, multimillion-pound renovations that concluded in early 2016.
The borough of Kensington and Chelsea said the cause of the fire will be investigated, but for now the focus is on supporting emergency services in their rescue and relief operation.The borough of Kensington and Chelsea said the cause of the fire will be investigated, but for now the focus is on supporting emergency services in their rescue and relief operation.
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.46am BST at 8.02am BST
7.12am BST7.12am BST
07:1207:12
Residents repeatedly warned of fire riskResidents repeatedly warned of fire risk
Matthew WeaverMatthew 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.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.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: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.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 ...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 floors as to how residents should act in the 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.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 floors as to how residents should act in the 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 health and safety of their tenants and leaseholders. They can’t say that they haven’t been warned!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 health and safety of their tenants and leaseholders. They can’t say that they haven’t been warned!
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.41am BSTat 7.41am BST
7.12am BST7.12am BST
07:1207:12
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.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/sOUltqy9KDAn 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.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/jGp6cO23ZmGuys from east london turned up with food, water and sanitary items for those evacuated from the tower block #grenfellfire pic.twitter.com/jGp6cO23Zm
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.18am BSTat 7.18am BST
7.00am BST7.00am BST
07:0007:00
Emergency hotline set upEmergency 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.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 233An emergency number has been set up for anyone concerned for loved ones in #NorthKensington fire please call Casualty Bureau 0800 0961 233
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.45am BSTat 7.45am BST
6.55am BST6.55am BST
06:5506:55
Residents tell of escaping the Grenfell TowerResidents tell of escaping the Grenfell Tower
Alice RossAlice 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.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.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.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.”“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.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 7.18am BSTat 7.18am BST
6.52am BST6.52am BST
06:5206:52
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.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.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/TPBUJTXDGzThis 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”.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 6.47am BSTat 6.47am BST