The London Fire Brigade has confirmed ‘a number’ of deaths in London’s Grenfell Tower apartment block fire.
Exact numbers were not given, but London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said the blaze presented “extremely challenging and very difficult conditions to rescue people and bring this fire under control.”
Twitter user Ben Lewis reported that there were “a few flames still visible but much of the tower now shrouded in smoke.”
Some residents have suggested the fire might have been triggered by a faulty fridge inside the apartment complex and others have said that recently added inexpensive cladding on the building’s exterior could have accelerated the fire’s spread.
Two hundred firefighters and 40 fire engines are working to contain the fire, with reports at least two people have been injured and flats at Grenfell Tower evacuated, reports Sky News.
A statement from the London Ambulance Service has confirmed that 30 patients have been taken to five hospitals.
“We have declared a major incident and continue to work closely with other emergency services at the scene.
“We have 20 ambulance crews on the scene as well as our hazardous area response teams from London’s air ambulance who travelled to the scene by car.
“Our priority is to assess the level and nature of injuries and ensure those in the most need are treated first and taken to hospitals.
The BBC’s Andy Moore said the whole tower block was alight and there are fears the building might collapse.
Footage on social media showed the building engulfed in fire, with flames stretching over a number of floors.
Assistant London Fire Brigade 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 tower block is on the Lancaster West Estate, between Latimer Road Underground station and Westfield’s White City shopping centre.
Police said: “At this stage we are aware of two people being treated at the scene for smoke inhalation.”
Actor and writer Tim Downie, who lives around 600 metres away told the Press Association he feared the block could collapse.
“It’s horrendous. The whole building is engulfed in flames. It’s gone. It’s just a matter of time before this building collapses. I just hope they have got everyone out. People have been bringing water, clothes, anything they’ve got to help, out to the cordon.”
“I have seen people coming out in their bedclothes – it’s just very distressing.”
Residents are being evacuated from the tower block, the Metropolitan Police said.
The cause of the fire is not known at this stage, London Fire Brigade said.
Fabio Bebber wrote on Twitter: “More screams for help as the fire spreads to another side of the building.
“We can see how quick the fire spreads via the external panels. It’s unbearable hearing someone screaming for their lives at #grenfelltower.”
George Clarke told Radio 5 Live: “I’m getting covered in ash, that’s how bad it is.
“I’m 100 metres away and I’m absolutely covered in ash.
“It’s so heartbreaking, I’ve seen someone flashing their torches at the top level and they obviously can’t get out.”
Source: YahooNews
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