What We Know So Far About the London Tower Block Fire
At least 12 people are confirmed dead as 200 firefighters tackle the blaze at Grenfell Tower in west London
Bonnie Malkin and Haroon Siddique
Guardian UK
Wednesday 14 June 2017 07.40 EDT
At least 12 people have died after a huge fire engulfed a tower block in west London and the Metropolitan police have said the figure is likely to rise.
The fire broke out shortly before 1am on Wednesday at Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road, near Notting Hill.
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.
London ambulance service said it was called at 1.29am and 20 crews raced to the scene.
Firefighters arrived within six minutes of the first 999 call.
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. Eighteen remain in critical care.There have been multiple reports of people trapped in the blaze.
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.
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.
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.
Falling debris also caused nearby flats to be evacuated.
The fire brigade has called it an “unprecedented incident” and said there is currently no known cause of the blaze.
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 mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, declared the fire a major incident.
Transport for London has suspended services on the Circle and Hammersmith and City tube lines between Hammersmith and Edgware Road.
The A40 Westway is closed in both directions.
The tower, which was built in 1974, recently underwent a major refurbishment.
The Met has an emergency number for anyone concerned for loved ones. The Casualty Bureau number is 0800 0961 233.
Bonnie Malkin and Haroon Siddique
Guardian UK
Wednesday 14 June 2017 07.40 EDT
At least 12 people have died after a huge fire engulfed a tower block in west London and the Metropolitan police have said the figure is likely to rise.
The fire broke out shortly before 1am on Wednesday at Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road, near Notting Hill.
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.
London ambulance service said it was called at 1.29am and 20 crews raced to the scene.
Firefighters arrived within six minutes of the first 999 call.
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. Eighteen remain in critical care.There have been multiple reports of people trapped in the blaze.
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.
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.
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.
Falling debris also caused nearby flats to be evacuated.
The fire brigade has called it an “unprecedented incident” and said there is currently no known cause of the blaze.
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 mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, declared the fire a major incident.
Transport for London has suspended services on the Circle and Hammersmith and City tube lines between Hammersmith and Edgware Road.
The A40 Westway is closed in both directions.
The tower, which was built in 1974, recently underwent a major refurbishment.
The Met has an emergency number for anyone concerned for loved ones. The Casualty Bureau number is 0800 0961 233.
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