There have been a “number of fatalities” in the horrific fire that engulfed an apartment block in London on Wednesday, the London Fire Brigade has confirmed.
London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said the huge fire which overtook the Grenfell Tower block near Latimer Road and Notting Hill in Kensington in the early hours of the morning was “extremely challenging”.
More than 50 people taken to five London hospitals following #GrenfellTower fire, London Ambulance Service says https://t.co/CLEIhCCOYn pic.twitter.com/TByyKOI9F6
— BBC Breaking News (@BBCBreaking) June 14, 2017
As some 250 firefighters and 40 engines continued their struggle to tame the terrifying blaze in the 27-storey building, it was impossible to know yet exactly how many people had perished.
So heartbreaking. How many people have lost their lives & loved ones and how many survivors are now homeless? My heart ???????????? #GrenfellFire pic.twitter.com/IS69usFbQo
— nas (@webeallnight) June 14, 2017
Around 100 medics and police officers were also at the scene while dozens of people were being reported as having been admitted to hospital.
Heartbreaking interview from Mahad Egal who lived at #GrenfellTower pic.twitter.com/CPQyk8UMQO
— Joshua ???????? (@big_man_joshy) June 14, 2017
With smoke still billowing from the building, questions were already being asked about the building’s safety and whether recent renovations may have contributed to the rapid spread of the fire.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan issued a statement saying he was “truly devastated” by the horrific scenes.
“There will be a great many questions over the coming days as to the cause of this tragedy and I want to reassure Londoners that we will get all these answers,” Mayor Khan said.
I’m truly devastated to see the horrific scenes of major fire at #GrenfellTower in #Kensington. Read my statement https://t.co/DTcxZS33kp pic.twitter.com/SZJuEvyrgL
— Mayor of London (@MayorofLondon) June 14, 2017