London tower block inferno: How events unfolded
A blazing inferno has wiped out a 24-story residential tower in West London overnight. At least 30 people have been sent to hospital and authorities confirmed a number of fatalities. RT takes a look at how the emergency developed.
The major fire at the Grenfell Tower was reported to emergency services at around 1:20am.
Initial reports say the fire may have started on the fourth floor, possibly the result of a faulty refrigerator, RT UK correspondent Eisa Ali reported from the scene.
The London Fire Brigade mounted an effort to control the blaze, dispatching 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters. The Metropolitan Police sent hundreds of officers to cordon off the area.
Major incident declared at Grenfell Tower in Kensington. 40 fire engines & 200 firefighters at the scene - follow @LondonFire for updates.
— Sadiq Khan (@SadiqKhan) 14 июня 2017 г.
Meanwhile the flames spread to the roof of the building.
Spread to at least 5 floors below when I originally came out. pic.twitter.com/G7UZy2Uveo
— Celeste Thomas (@mamapie) 14 июня 2017 г.
Hundreds of residents fled their homes, some in their pajamas, terrified and franticly searching for family members.
Fire is getting worse and people are still screaming for help#grenfelltower pic.twitter.com/tafB2Cp6tD
— Fabio Bebber (@biobber) 14 июня 2017 г.
Some residents became trapped, crying for help from inside the tower, witnesses reported.
More screams for help as the fire spreads to another side of the building. #grenfelltower#london#firepic.twitter.com/nfuIfSUt3Y
— Fabio Bebber (@biobber) 14 июня 2017 г.
By 4am, the entire building was engulfed in flames.
The #fire is now spread to the other side. Ash falling in front of my window down. #GrenfellTower#Kensington#london#PrayersForGrenfellpic.twitter.com/Zbg5eTJttf
— ✯ Natalie ✯ (@Natalie_Oxford) 14 июня 2017 г.
Residents from buildings surrounding Grenfell Tower were evacuated as falling debris threatened to spread the fire. It also made the tasks of firefighters trying to control the blaze more dangerous.
Residents from blocks surrounding Grenfell Tower are being evacuated as firefighters continue trying to contain the flames pic.twitter.com/NNmJ25UukZ
— Alice Ross (@aliceross_) 14 июня 2017 г.
People in the neighborhood offered their houses to those in need while others helped organize a makeshift aid center at a local community center. Churches in the parish covering the area offered shelter to the evacuees.
St clement and st James church opens its doors to people who've been evacuated and other locals pic.twitter.com/2MIAh46ZT5
— Dan C (@dj_pingu) 14 июня 2017 г.
By daybreak, smoke continued to billow from the building, but the fires appeared to be mostly extinguished.
There are a few flats still burning but it's mostly been put out. #GrenFellTower#GrenfellTowerFire#london#fire#kensingtonpic.twitter.com/kz0QrBjyQo
— ✯ Natalie ✯ (@Natalie_Oxford) 14 июня 2017 г.
By 6:30am the London Ambulance Service confirmed 30 patients had been taken to five hospitals.
More than 100 medics are responding to #GrenfellTower#NorthKensington & we have taken over 50 patients to hospital https://t.co/5IZS0JeRW3pic.twitter.com/unp2KmwS1i
— London Ambulance (@Ldn_Ambulance) June 14, 2017
At 7:30am London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton confirmed that there have been fatalities in the blaze. She would not immediately confirm any numbers.