London fire update: At least 6 casualties confirmed

At least six deaths have been confirmed after a blaze ripped through a high-rise apartment block in the British capital as residents slept. At least 50 people were injured, according to authorities.

More than 250 firefighters battled the inferno at Grenfell Tower in west London through the night.

Local resident Tim Downie told NBC News he saw “people dangling children out the windows to try and get them to safety” as flames spread upwards. Another witness recounted watching someone jumping from it.

Local officials believe that several hundred people were in the building, which dates back to the 1970s. The high-rise had a “stay put” policy in the event of a fire — with residents urged to shut their windows and doors and await rescue.

London Fire Brigade Commissioner Dany Cotton called it an “unprecedented incident,” adding that a “number of fatalities” had been confirmed. Police later put the death toll at 6, but warned that figure was likely to grow.

Firefighters are still struggling to contain the fire. However, police and structure experts fear the building may collapse if the fire is not put out soon.

Source: nbc news

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