Politics: There have been 'a number of fatalities' as a huge blaze rips through a London tower block

A residents' group says it repeatedly warned about Grenfell Tower's fire safety.

• "A number of fatalities" as blaze rips through west London tower block. Fifty others are injured.
• London Mayor Sadiq Khan has declared it a "major incident."
• Around 30 local flats have been evacuated amid fears the building could collapse.
• A residents' group says it repeatedly warned about Grenfell Tower's fire safety.

LONDON — There have been "a number of fatalities" after a huge blaze ripped through a 27-story residential tower block in west London.

The London Fire Brigade was called to the fire in Kensington at around 1:29 a.m. BST (8:29 p.m. ET) 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." She added: "In my 29 years as a firefighter, I have never, ever seen anything on this scale."

A further 50 people have been taken to five local hospitals with injuries, according to The London Ambulance Service.

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. Staff from London's air ambulance team travelled to the scene by car.

People still trapped in tower block

People remain trapped in the building. There are images of at least one man appealing for help from his window on the 11th floor. There are reports that the London Fire Brigade has entered the building in a rescue search.

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.

A cordon is in place, the London Fire Brigade said, and 30 adjacent flats have been evacuated. Local roads have also been closed. There are fears that the building could collapse. There are images on television of debris falling from the tower block.

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. Chellat said his brother-in-law was advised not to evacuate initially.

Safety were warnings were raised

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."

The Grenfell Tower has undergone a major refurbishment recently, according to Kensington and Chelsea Council."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.

This story is developing

A residents' group says it repeatedly warned about Grenfell Tower's fire safety. Read Full Story