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Grenfell Tower fire: council admits some residents may be rehoused outside area – latest Grenfell Tower fire: council admits some residents may be rehoused outside area – latest
(35 minutes later)
3.43pm BST
15:43
Jamie Grierson
A former British army officer who is leading the volunteer effort at Notting Hill Methodist church said the devastation caused by the fire was comparable to that he had witnessed at war.
Ian Pilcher, a former captain who served with the King’s Regiment in Northern Ireland, the Balkans and north Africa, has been helping with logistics at the church since Wednesday.
Pilcher, 50, now a private security consultant, said the church had received a couple of metric tonnes of food, drink and toiletries, as well as seven Luton vans full of clothing. From predominantly walk-in donations, the church had also received televisions, mobile phones and even vehicles, he said.
Pilcher woke to the noise of “siren after siren after siren” in the early hours of Wednesday and witnessed the blaze. He said:
In many ways it’s like being in a war because of the number of innocent people. In places like Bosnia there were many innocent people and there was a clear enemy. Here, nobody expected to die in their beds because there’s a fire.
I left the army in expectation of a peaceful life. Nobody expects this sort of thing to happen so close to home.
Pilcher said volunteers had arrived from across London and outside the capital to help.
Frmr British army captain Ian Pilcher, volunteering at Notting Hill Methodist church, says fire scenes comparable to war. pic.twitter.com/kI1l8qITva
Updated
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3.40pm BST
15:40
Sarah Marsh
The Guardian has heard that Corpus Christi College in Oxford is no longer taking donations. The Central Gurdwara (Sikh temple) in Kensington and Chelsea is also now closed for donations. However, people still keen to give can send items to the community centre on 57 Acklam Road, W10 5YS. Many centres have now been overwhelmed with donations, so it’s advisable to call up first before sending items down. It also may be better to offer support in other ways, for example as a volunteer, helping to sort through donations, or by giving money to the British Red Cross fund.
Updated
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3.36pm BST
15:36
Seraphima Kennedy, who worked for the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) between 2007 and early 2016, told BBC Radio 4’s the World at One that the organisation was “massively overstretched”.
The TMO, like lots of other housing providers in London and across the country was functioning in a severely squeezed environment. They were massively overstretched.
She added:
This cuts right to the heart of how the state views the poorest people in society. We have sprinklers in society; we don’t have them in high rise council blocks. Because they are too expensive? Because it would be disruptive? I mean it really does make you ask questions about how the state values lives and which lives it values.
Kennedy has written this for the Guardian.
Updated
at 3.48pm BST
3.28pm BST
15:28
What we know so far
Here’s a summary of where things currently stand:
The police have confirmed that at least 30 people have been killed in the Grenfell Tower fire amid continuing anger at the length of time being taken to identify the victims. A Met police commander said the death toll was likely to rise. The Met is supporting 36 families.
More than 70 people remain unaccounted for according to residents, posters and social media appeals. The Met cannot confirm the number of missing people.
NHS England said 24 people were still being treated in hospitals across London, of whom 12 remain in critical care. One of 30 known victims died in hospital.
The artist Khadija Saye has been named as one of the victims, according to a family friend, the Labour MP David Lammy. The Syrian engineering student Mohammed Alhajali, 24, was the first victim to be identified. He died in the blaze, while his older brother Omar, 25, was taken to hospital after escaping.
Theresa May has visited some of the victims of the fire at a private meeting at Kensington and Chelsea hospital, after being widely criticised on Thursday for leaving the scene of the fire without meeting residents.
The level of anger on the streets around the tower has been rising as desperate people with missing loved ones plead for more help from the authorities. The Commons leader, Andrea Leadsom, was heckled as she visited the scene.
Gavin Barwell, who was housing minister before losing his seat in last week’s general election and is now the prime minister’s chief of staff, has ducked questions about his failure to act on warnings about fire safety in the wake of the Lakanal House fire in 2009. Barwell refused to answer Sky News questions over why he delayed a review into tower block fire safety.
The foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, has accused Labour of “outrageous politicking” over the fire. Writing on Facebook he said: “There has sadly been some political game playing about the terrible fire in London.”
The Queen and the Duke of Cambridge visited community leaders, volunteers and some of the survivors at Westway sports centre. The visit raised questions about why Downing Street cited security concerns for May’s failure to meet residents.
Concern is growing about whether residents evacuated from the area will be rehoused locally, as the government has pledged. Kensington and Chelsea council said survivors may have to be rehoused in other council areas, but later claimed this statement was wrong.
A vigil for the victims is being planned this evening around Grenfell Tower. A Justice for Grenfell! protest will also take place outside the Department for Communities and Local Government in Marsham Street.
Scotland Yard have launched a criminal investigation into the fire after it emerged that cladding panels similar to those likely to have been used on the 24-storey building have been widely prohibited on tall buildings in the US since 2012.
Material used in the cladding that covered Grenfell Tower was the cheaper, more flammable version of the two available options, an investigation of the supply chain has confirmed. Omnis Exteriors manufactured the aluminium composite material (ACM) used in the cladding, a director, John Cowley, told the Guardian.
Updated
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3.14pm BST3.14pm BST
15:1415:14
Haroon SiddiqueHaroon Siddique
Authorities already under fire for their insensitivity have rubbed salt into the wounds of residents near Grenfell tower by hand-delivering them letters today about anti-social behaviour (the warning relates to ball games played in the courtyard), ITV’s Paul Brand tweets. The letter, from the tower’s management company KCTMO, is dated on Wednesday, the day of the fire. Authorities already under fire for their insensitivity have rubbed salt into the wounds of residents near Grenfell Tower by hand-delivering them letters today about antisocial behaviour (the warning relates to ball games played in the courtyard), ITV’s Paul Brand tweets. The letter, from the tower’s management company KCTMO, is dated Wednesday, the day of the fire.
Incredibly, people in flats opposite #Grenfell today received letter warning them about anti-social behaviour, threatening legal action. pic.twitter.com/w8SQepjpOBIncredibly, people in flats opposite #Grenfell today received letter warning them about anti-social behaviour, threatening legal action. pic.twitter.com/w8SQepjpOB
Residents here are shaking with rage. One woman ran up to me screaming through gritted teeth. Incredibly it was hand-delivered by TMO.Residents here are shaking with rage. One woman ran up to me screaming through gritted teeth. Incredibly it was hand-delivered by TMO.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.15pm BST at 3.24pm BST
2.53pm BST2.53pm BST
14:5314:53
Kate ConnollyKate Connolly
Footage of a massive fire at an empty block in Frankfurt in 2012 that was clad in polystyrene, or styrofoam, featured in a German TV documentary.Footage of a massive fire at an empty block in Frankfurt in 2012 that was clad in polystyrene, or styrofoam, featured in a German TV documentary.
Frankfurt’s fire director Reinhard Ries is on camera saying: “The fire took hold extremely quickly, reaching incredible temperatures immediately.”Frankfurt’s fire director Reinhard Ries is on camera saying: “The fire took hold extremely quickly, reaching incredible temperatures immediately.”
The styrofoam soon turned into a “liquid, burning sea”, he says. “Everything within 300 seconds had developed into a huge fireball as if thousands of litres of petrol had been set alight.”The styrofoam soon turned into a “liquid, burning sea”, he says. “Everything within 300 seconds had developed into a huge fireball as if thousands of litres of petrol had been set alight.”
The incident led to Frankfurt fire services putting out a nationwide appeal to firefighters to log similar fires – 100 were logged up until 2017 – and Ries and his department started lobbying German politicians to rethink cladding whose main purpose was to increase insulation and energy efficiency.The incident led to Frankfurt fire services putting out a nationwide appeal to firefighters to log similar fires – 100 were logged up until 2017 – and Ries and his department started lobbying German politicians to rethink cladding whose main purpose was to increase insulation and energy efficiency.
UpdatedUpdated
at 3.00pm BSTat 3.00pm BST
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14:3914:39
Council to clarify rehousing statementCouncil to clarify rehousing statement
Kensington and Chelsea council is rowing back on its statement that it may not be able to house all the surviving victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in the local area.Kensington and Chelsea council is rowing back on its statement that it may not be able to house all the surviving victims of the Grenfell Tower fire in the local area.
A spokesman said its statement sent out at 1.46pm was “wrong”.A spokesman said its statement sent out at 1.46pm was “wrong”.
It said:It said:
While we will try do our utmost to ensure those affected remain in or near the borough, given the number of households involved, it is possible the council will have to explore housing options that may become available in other parts of the capital.While we will try do our utmost to ensure those affected remain in or near the borough, given the number of households involved, it is possible the council will have to explore housing options that may become available in other parts of the capital.
The housing minister Alok Sharma told MPs on Thursday that the government guaranteed “that every single family” from the Tower would be rehoused in the local area.The housing minister Alok Sharma told MPs on Thursday that the government guaranteed “that every single family” from the Tower would be rehoused in the local area.
A council spokesman said: “Our understanding has changed. Once our housing people have looked at this in greater detail we will be issuing a new statement.”A council spokesman said: “Our understanding has changed. Once our housing people have looked at this in greater detail we will be issuing a new statement.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.43pm BSTat 2.43pm BST
2.27pm BST2.27pm BST
14:2714:27
Mark SweneyMark Sweney
King’s College hospital is to lodge a complaint with the press watchdog over a journalist who allegedly impersonated a friend of a victim of the Grenfell Tower fire in order to get an interview with him.King’s College hospital is to lodge a complaint with the press watchdog over a journalist who allegedly impersonated a friend of a victim of the Grenfell Tower fire in order to get an interview with him.
The hospital is to file a complaint with the Independent Press Standards Organisation about the behaviour of the Sun reporter. It has also written to News UK, the publisher of the Sun, Times and Sunday Times, about the incident.The hospital is to file a complaint with the Independent Press Standards Organisation about the behaviour of the Sun reporter. It has also written to News UK, the publisher of the Sun, Times and Sunday Times, about the incident.
“Following an incident at King’s College hospital, we have formally written to the Sun and will be informing the Independent Press Standards Organisation,” said a spokeswoman for King’s College hospital NHS foundation trust. “We are unable to comment on the specifics until our complaint has been investigated.”“Following an incident at King’s College hospital, we have formally written to the Sun and will be informing the Independent Press Standards Organisation,” said a spokeswoman for King’s College hospital NHS foundation trust. “We are unable to comment on the specifics until our complaint has been investigated.”
It is understood that the Sun was trying to get an interview with Mario Gomes, a resident on the 21st floor who has been hailed as a hero after racing back into the building to find his 12-year-old daughter.It is understood that the Sun was trying to get an interview with Mario Gomes, a resident on the 21st floor who has been hailed as a hero after racing back into the building to find his 12-year-old daughter.
2.02pm BST2.02pm BST
14:0214:02
Some Grenfell residents to be rehoused outside the areaSome Grenfell residents to be rehoused outside the area
People who have lost their homes in the Grenfell Tower fire may be rehoused in other areas of London despite commitments by the government to house them locally.People who have lost their homes in the Grenfell Tower fire may be rehoused in other areas of London despite commitments by the government to house them locally.
Kensington and Chelsea council said 110 households had been given temporary accommodation by Friday morning, and added that it was working to find more permanent homes.Kensington and Chelsea council said 110 households had been given temporary accommodation by Friday morning, and added that it was working to find more permanent homes.
But the authority’s latest statement said: “While we will try do our utmost to ensure those affected remain in or near the borough, given the number of households involved, it is possible the council will have to explore housing options that may become available in other parts of the capital.”But the authority’s latest statement said: “While we will try do our utmost to ensure those affected remain in or near the borough, given the number of households involved, it is possible the council will have to explore housing options that may become available in other parts of the capital.”
The households include people living in nearby blocks which have been evacuated because of the disaster.The households include people living in nearby blocks which have been evacuated because of the disaster.
The housing minister Alok Sharma told MPs on Thursday that the government guaranteed “that every single family” from the tower would be rehoused in the local area.The housing minister Alok Sharma told MPs on Thursday that the government guaranteed “that every single family” from the tower would be rehoused in the local area.
Theresa May gave a vaguer commitment. On Thursday she said: “I want to reassure the residents of Grenfell Tower – all of whom are in our thoughts and prayers – that the government will make every effort to make sure that they are rehoused in London and as close as possible to home.”Theresa May gave a vaguer commitment. On Thursday she said: “I want to reassure the residents of Grenfell Tower – all of whom are in our thoughts and prayers – that the government will make every effort to make sure that they are rehoused in London and as close as possible to home.”
In his letter to the prime minister, the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, urged May to “confirm as a matter of urgency that everyone from Grenfell Tower and other evacuated properties will be rehoused locally immediately”. (see earlier)In his letter to the prime minister, the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, urged May to “confirm as a matter of urgency that everyone from Grenfell Tower and other evacuated properties will be rehoused locally immediately”. (see earlier)
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.30pm BSTat 2.30pm BST
1.53pm BST1.53pm BST
13:5313:53
Boris Johnson accuses Labour of 'outrageous politicking' over fireBoris Johnson accuses Labour of 'outrageous politicking' over fire
Martin BelamMartin Belam
Boris Johnson has posted on Facebook to accuse Labour of “outrageous politicking” over the Grenfell Tower fire.Boris Johnson has posted on Facebook to accuse Labour of “outrageous politicking” over the Grenfell Tower fire.
After lamenting that “there has sadly been some political game playing about the terrible fire in London,” the former mayor of London goes on to criticise his successor Sadiq Khan and the Labour party. Johnson defends his record on fire safety during his time as mayor, stating that the number of fires and number of fire-related deaths fell year-on-year during his tenure.After lamenting that “there has sadly been some political game playing about the terrible fire in London,” the former mayor of London goes on to criticise his successor Sadiq Khan and the Labour party. Johnson defends his record on fire safety during his time as mayor, stating that the number of fires and number of fire-related deaths fell year-on-year during his tenure.
Johnson is correct about fire safety improving during his terms as mayor. However, as this chart from the London fire brigade shows, that has to be seen in the context of a pre-existing trend downwards that had started well before Johnson assumed office in 2008.Johnson is correct about fire safety improving during his terms as mayor. However, as this chart from the London fire brigade shows, that has to be seen in the context of a pre-existing trend downwards that had started well before Johnson assumed office in 2008.
Johnson’s comments haven’t gone down entirely well on the social network. One of the comments prominently displayed under the foreign secretary’s post says:Johnson’s comments haven’t gone down entirely well on the social network. One of the comments prominently displayed under the foreign secretary’s post says:
Gosh, Boris. So your opinion is more valid than the hundreds of fire fighters that are in direct opposition to your spin and lies? Man up for once and take it on the chin.Gosh, Boris. So your opinion is more valid than the hundreds of fire fighters that are in direct opposition to your spin and lies? Man up for once and take it on the chin.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.04pm BSTat 2.04pm BST
1.53pm BST1.53pm BST
13:5313:53
Holly WattHolly Watt
The lead architect for Grenfell Tower was Nigel Whitbread, who worked for Clifford Wearden and Associates. Whitbread is believed to live in Kensington, London, within half a mile of Grenfell Tower.The lead architect for Grenfell Tower was Nigel Whitbread, who worked for Clifford Wearden and Associates. Whitbread is believed to live in Kensington, London, within half a mile of Grenfell Tower.
The building began in 1972 and finished in 1974. It was renovated last year, with external cladding added to the design. Serious questions have been raised about the new cladding.The building began in 1972 and finished in 1974. It was renovated last year, with external cladding added to the design. Serious questions have been raised about the new cladding.
Last year, the artist Constantine Gras described meeting Whitbread and escorting him on a tour around the estate. On the tour, Whitbread met residents and said it was “delightful to hear that residents thought flat arrangements worked well”.Last year, the artist Constantine Gras described meeting Whitbread and escorting him on a tour around the estate. On the tour, Whitbread met residents and said it was “delightful to hear that residents thought flat arrangements worked well”.
Whitbread wrote an article about the development, saying it was the “first and only tower block I designed”.Whitbread wrote an article about the development, saying it was the “first and only tower block I designed”.
In his article for Gras’s blog, Whitbread said that the Grenfell design had been influenced by the partial collapse of Ronan Point in Newham, east London, and was structured to stand for over a century.In his article for Gras’s blog, Whitbread said that the Grenfell design had been influenced by the partial collapse of Ronan Point in Newham, east London, and was structured to stand for over a century.
Whitbread said: “Ronan Point, the tower that partially collapsed in 1968, had been built like a pack of cards. Grenfell tower was a totally different form of construction and from what I can see could last another 100 years.”Whitbread said: “Ronan Point, the tower that partially collapsed in 1968, had been built like a pack of cards. Grenfell tower was a totally different form of construction and from what I can see could last another 100 years.”
Whitbread, 78, said the Grenfell building was unusual in that it was designed so that “you could take away all those internal partitions and open it up if that’s what you wanted to do in the future”.Whitbread, 78, said the Grenfell building was unusual in that it was designed so that “you could take away all those internal partitions and open it up if that’s what you wanted to do in the future”.
Whitbread said he went for an unusual internal apartment layout.Whitbread said he went for an unusual internal apartment layout.
“I also don’t know of any other council built tower block in London or anywhere else in England that also has the central core and six flats per floor rather than four flats which is typically done on the London county council or Greater London council plans.”“I also don’t know of any other council built tower block in London or anywhere else in England that also has the central core and six flats per floor rather than four flats which is typically done on the London county council or Greater London council plans.”
Whitbread and his team decided that “putting bricks one on top of the other for 20 storeys was a crazy thing to do”.Whitbread and his team decided that “putting bricks one on top of the other for 20 storeys was a crazy thing to do”.
Instead, we “used insulated pre-cast concrete beams as external walls, lifted up and put into place with cranes and they were so much more quicker”.Instead, we “used insulated pre-cast concrete beams as external walls, lifted up and put into place with cranes and they were so much more quicker”.
Discussing last year’s renovations before the disaster, Whitbread said the cladding had improved the insulation, but changed the building’s appearance. “We lost some of this verticality in the recent recladding but it’s not the end of the world. And the building is now better insulated as we had different standards then.”Discussing last year’s renovations before the disaster, Whitbread said the cladding had improved the insulation, but changed the building’s appearance. “We lost some of this verticality in the recent recladding but it’s not the end of the world. And the building is now better insulated as we had different standards then.”
Whitbread also said he was concerned about questions over the heating. He said: “I’m very much against knocking things down unnecessarily. I had heard that there had been problems a few years ago with the heating and it was no good and talk of the whole block having to come down. And I thought, if my heating goes wrong, I don’t want to pull my house down.”Whitbread also said he was concerned about questions over the heating. He said: “I’m very much against knocking things down unnecessarily. I had heard that there had been problems a few years ago with the heating and it was no good and talk of the whole block having to come down. And I thought, if my heating goes wrong, I don’t want to pull my house down.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.22pm BSTat 2.22pm BST
1.44pm BST
13:44
Sandra Laville
More than 70 people remain unaccounted for from the Grenfell Tower blaze and 30 are confirmed dead, it has been revealed.
Police released updated figures on the fatalities as anger in the community grew over what residents said was a lack of information being released to them.
In a press briefing that was marked by the anger of residents who shouted their own questions at police and fire service representatives, commander Stuart Cundy of the Metropolitan police said 30 people were now confirmed dead, including one victim who died in hospital. But he acknowledged that the number of fatalities would increase.
The scale of the disaster became stark as it was revealed for the first time that 70 people were believed to be unaccounted for since the blaze. Police fear the fire was so intense and devastating that some victims may never be identified.
Cundy said 12 bodies are in the mortuary but a number still remain in Grenfell Tower, where a dignified and careful retrieval operation would take place in hazardous conditions. But, he said, this could take many weeks.
Cundy said he expected the death toll to rise further. “I do believe that sadly the number will rise.
Updated
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1.41pm BST
13:41
Khan urges May to do more to help
The London mayor, Sadiq Khan, has written to the prime minister urging her to do more to help provide information to the families of the victims.
In his letter Khan said identification of those killed could be sped up if the authorities abandoned protocols used after a terrorist attack. He wrote:
The local community feels their grief has been made worse by the lack of information about their missing family members and friends. They are fully aware of the true scale of this tragedy but cannot comprehend why they are not being given more information. There is also insufficient support for victims on the ground.
I appreciate that the authorities want to be absolutely certain that any information is correct before it is issued publicly, and the fire brigade, police and coroner are doing a heroic job obtaining this information in extremely difficult circumstances. While the current systems in place may work well for a terrorist attack, there are legitimate questions about whether they are still appropriate in situations where obtaining this information could take much longer.
Khan also said the scale of this tragedy is “proving too much for the local authority to cope with on their own”. He said tower block residents were “terrified that the same thing could happen to them”. He wrote:
This issue is not limited to the type of cladding fitted: the material it is attached to and how this has been achieved are also critical factors. It is crucial that other risks from renovation works are urgently and properly investigated, for example protection between floors. And we need to strengthen standards and recall processes around white goods, given the fire risk they can present.
If the government has any reason to believe specific tower blocks could be at risk, residents should be rehomed in the local area immediately, while these checks take place.
My letter to the Prime Minister, demanding answers, action and justice for those affected by the #GrenfellTower fire https://t.co/SmY1JCjftb pic.twitter.com/Ii1zRd2i5W
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13:28
Cladding on Grenfell was cheaper
Material used in the cladding that covered the Grenfell Tower was the cheaper, more flammable version of the two available options, an investigation of the supply chain has confirmed.
Omnis Exteriors manufactured the aluminium composite material (ACM) used in the cladding, a director, John Cowley, confirmed to the Guardian.
He also said Omnis had been asked to supply Reynobond PE cladding, which is £2 cheaper per square metre than the alternative Reynobond FR, which stands for “fire resistant”.
“We supplied components for a system created by the design and build team on that project,” said Cowley.
Harley Facades confirmed it had installed the panels bought from Omnis in the work it performed on Grenfell Tower.
Omnis sold ACM cladding to Harley Facades, which was responsible for installing it.
The construction firm Rydon Maintenance was the lead contractor on the project but subcontracted elements of the work to smaller companies, including Harley.
Updated
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13:26
1.25pm BST
13:25
Hadley Freeman
Almost exactly 24 hours after Downing Street said the prime minister couldn’t possibly meet victims of the Grenfell disaster because of security concerns, the Queen and Prince William’s visit to Latimer Road came with minimal security.
They drove up in a green Range Rover – dog gates up at the back, although the corgis stayed at home – with so little fanfare several locals walked right past them, unaware of the identities of the latest wellwishers to Westway sports centre, applauding instead the firefighters who walked behind her.
The centre, in the shadow of the now burnt-out shell of the Grenfell, has, in the past 48 hours, become a shelter for residents left homeless by the tragedy: the usually popular basketball courts are filled with boxes of donations while volunteers estimate about 30 people are still sleeping in the centre, many of whom almost certainly used to use the facilities for very different purposes.
The Queen, in matching royal blue coat and hat, accompanied by her grandson, spoke first to volunteers and police officers before meeting some of the victims outside. “She looked like she had so much compassion, like she understood what we’ve been through,” said Rihanna Levi, 17, who spoke to her and lived next to the tower.
“She spoke about how awful it must have been in the stairways when the lights went out and there was so much smoke,” Levi added.
“I can’t say I’m surprised because I always knew she was someone who cared,” said Vassilli Stavropol-Loren, who has lived in a neighbouring tower block for 34 years. “She understood the gravity.”
How did they feel about the other politicians who have visited? “You could see Corbyn stands by his word,” said Rihanna Levi’s mother, Marcia.
And the prime minister? Naomi, Rihanna’s 28-year-old sister, shrugged. “I have no words about that woman,” she said.
She did, however, have plenty of words about the council. She said: “We’ve seen no one from the council. No one. And we can’t even get through to the TMO [tenant management organisation]. I have an eight-year-old child and yesterday we had to sleep in the park for four hours. But the police and firefighters have been terrific, always checking we have water.”
The Queen and Prince William stayed inside the centre for 20 minutes, leaving at a leisurely pace and declining to pose for photos. At this point a small group of locals had gathered outside and started shouting at her, begging her to look at photos of their missing loved ones. The Queen glanced towards them, nodded, smiled and left.
One man shouted furiously at her departing car, holding a photo of two babies he said were family members. He said they were “left to die in that tower”, adding: “Where was the Queen before this? Where was the government? Where was the media? You only come now! Left to die here by all of you, and the police, and firefighters.”
“Not the police and firefighters,” another local said. “OK, not them,” he said.
Updated
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13:09
Here are the main points from the Met commander Stuart Cundy’s press conference.
The investigation
The investigation will establish the facts. This will be about providing as best we possibly can answers for those that have been so deeply and tragically affected by the terrible fire here at Grenfell Tower. The investigation will look into what criminal offences may have been committed. It will be undertaken by a number of specialist detectives using expertise and specialism from other organisations where required.
Our specialist investigators and experts have examined what we believe is the original location where the fire started. Based on what we know there is nothing to suggest that the fire was started deliberately.
It is important that we can find the answers as to what has happened and why.
If criminal offences have been committed it is us who will investigate that.
The victims
Sadly, as I’ve said before, we always knew that the number of those that have died would increase. At this point in time we know that at least 30 people have died as a result of this fire. Sadly and tragically that includes one person who was taken to hospital and despite the very best medical care, from the NHS, has now sadly died.
Twelve of those victims have been taken to the mortuary. A number of those bodies, sadly still remain here within Grenfell Tower.
The search for bodies
There are no fires within the building … The conditions within Grenfell Tower are particularly hazardous. It is going to take us a considerable period of time to fully work through Grenfell Tower over the coming weeks to ensure that we complete our investigation here within the building itself. As an absolute priority, what we are all doing is, as quickly and with as much dignity as we can, recovering those that are still inside. Sadly we do not expected there to be any survivors.
Delay in identifying victims
I will only say something that I know to be true. I know at this point in time that there are at least 30 people that have died in this fire. The very nature of the intense fire that has occurred … I do believe that the number will increase.
The building itself is in a very hazardous state. It is going to take a period of time for our specialists, both from the police and the London fire brigade, to fully search that building to make sure we locate and recover everybody that has sadly perished in that fire.
I completely understand the need for those that have lost loved ones, that as quick as we can we are able to confirm that.
The missing
We have specialist and dedicated family liaison officers supporting 36 families. It is difficult to know how many are missing. Through our casualty bureau we are working through often duplicate calls, where people have phoned in to report a loved one as missing. There are considerable number of those calls which we need to work through to identify the final number. As soon as we have a number that I’m content is accurate I will be sharing that.
The injured
The latest update from the hospitals is that we still have 24 people who are being treated, 12 of those are in critical care. Everybody who is in hospitals has been identified and their families are aware.
Updated
at 1.21pm BST
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12:37
Khadija Saye named as victim
Caroline Davies
The artist Khadija Saye has been named as one of the victims, according to a family friend, the Labour MP David Lammy.
May you rest in peace Khadija Saye. God bless your beautiful soul. My heart breaks today. I mourn the tragic loss of a wonderful young woman pic.twitter.com/KdIPs34FvA
Saye, 24, was in her flat on the 20th floor with her mother, Mary Mendy.
She had posted on Facebook that she was unable to get out of the flat because the smoke was too thick. Family members confirmed the news to Sky News. Saye, a photographer, had recently exhibited at the Venice Biennale.
Updated
at 1.11pm BST
12.32pm BST
12:32
Cundy was asked why it was taking so long to identify the victims. “I do believe the number will increase,” he said. The building is in a hazardous condition, he said.
He said he would only give figures the police are certain about.
Cundy is heckled by residents.
He said he can’t say how many people are missing. Everyone being treated in hospitals has been identified, Cundy said.
Updated
at 12.34pm BST
12.26pm BST
12:26
Met: 'we don't expect survivors'
There is nothing to suggest the fire was started deliberately, Cundy said.
The investigation into the cause of the fire will take weeks, he added.
“Sadly we do not expect there to be any survivors,” Cundy said.
12.24pm BST
12:24
30 people confirmed dead
The Met police commander, Stuart Cundy, said: “We know that at least 30 people who have died.”
One of those included someone who was taken to hospital, he said.
The bodies have been taken to a morgue, but more bodies remain in the building, Cundy said.
We always knew that the death toll would increase, Cundy said.
Updated
at 12.28pm BST