6 people die as a huge blaze rips through a London tower block

LONDON — There have been “a number of fatalities” after a huge blaze ripped through a 24-story residential tower block in west London.
The London Fire Brigade was called to the fire in Kensington at around 12:54 a.m. (BST). London Mayor Sadiq Khan has declared it as a “major incident.” The cause of the fire at Grenfell Tower is not yet known.London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton told reporters on Wednesday morning that there have been “number of fatalities,” but said many had been rescued. She added: “In my 29 years as a firefighter, I have never, ever seen anything on this scale.”

More than 50 people have been taken to five local hospitals with injuries, according to The London Ambulance Service.
Firefighters in London are tackling a huge fire at a 24 storey tower block. pic.twitter.com/Tdo6Y4VmZF
At least 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters have been tackling the blaze at Grenfell Tower since the early hours of the morning. The Ambulance Service added that 20 crews are on the scene, including 100 medics. Staff from London’s air ambulance team travelled to the scene by car.
People remain trapped in the building. There were images of at least one man appealing for help from his window on the 11th floor.
The London Fire Brigade entered the building in a search and rescue operation, with “large numbers” of people being rescued, Commissioner Cotton said. Firefighters have reached the 19th and 20th floor of the building, she added.

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Witnesses have claimed that people were jumping from some of the lower floors of the building in an effort to flee the blaze. Others were creating makeshift rope ladders, according to those on the scene.
Kensington and Chelsea Council has opened an emergency rest centre for evacuees at the Harrow Centre on Freston Road, it said.
A cordon is in place, the London Fire Brigade said, and 30 adjacent flats have been evacuated. Local roads, including the A40, have also been closed. There are fears that the building could collapse. There are images on television of debris falling from the tower block, while people on the scene have described exploding windows.
Cotton calmed concerns about a collapse, however. A structural engineer has assessed the building, she said, and it has been deemed safe for fire crew to continue search and rescue efforts.
Resident Ahmed Chellat told ITV’s “Good Morning Britain” that his family is still inside the building. “We don’t know where they are, whether they are still in or out. We’re waiting for news,” he said.
London Fire

REUTERS/Neil Hall
Chellat said his brother-in-law was advised not to evacuate initially. This was echoed by other residents, while there are also reports that some didn’t hear any fire alarms in the building.
Eyewitness Muna Ali told the BBC that the blaze had “completely spread” within 30 minutes. “The flames — I have never seen anything like it, it just reminded me of 9/11,” she said.
As the blaze rages, residents group Grenfell Action Group has blogged about the incident. It said it had “posted numerous warnings in recent years about the very poor fire safety standards.” It added: “All our warnings fell on deaf ears.”
London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Dan Daly said firefighters were “working extremely hard in very difficult conditions to tackle this fire.”

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The Grenfell Tower has undergone a £10 million refurbishment recently, according to Kensington and Chelsea Council. The work was completed by the Rydon construction group.
“The large-scale works included the installation of insulated exterior cladding, new double glazed windows and a new communal heating system,” it said. It contains 120 homes and was first built in 1974.
Nicholas Paget-Brown, the leader of Kensington and Chelsea Council, said a “thorough investigation is needed.” He told the BBC that council buildings undergo fire inspections and safety guidance is issued to residents.
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The blaze could be seen from Southwark Bridge, which is more than six miles away.Ryan O’Donnell
The Metropolitan Police said “it is likely to take some time” before they are able to establish the cause of the fire.
“Anyone who is concerned about loved ones in relation to the fire should contact Casualty Bureau which has been opened following the fire. If you do not get through immediately please do try again,” said Commander Stuart Cundy.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was “truly devastated” by the fire. “I want to thank our incredible firefighters and emergency services for their immense courage, dedication and professionalism,” he said in a tweeted statement.
He added: “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 the answers.”
This story is developing