120 homes, 24 storeys: £10mn Grenfell Tower upgrade completed just last year (PHOTOS)

A west London tower block destroyed by fire Wednesday morning had been part of a £10 million refurbishment project that ended last year. At least six people have died in the fire, with police saying they expect that number to rise.

London Fire Brigade called the blaze at North Kensington’s Grenfell Tower an “unprecedented situation” as more than 200 firefighters worked to control the inferno which broke out at 0.54am local time.  

READ MORE: ‘Trapped with no way out’: Grenfell Tower residents raised fire risk fears long before blaze

Built in 1974, Grenfell Tower contains 120 homes spread over 24 storeys.

Erected under a local council housing initiative, properties at the tower block had been on the market recently for at least £250,000.

The building is now managed by Kensington & Chelsea Tenant Management Organization, one of the largest tenant management groups in the country.  

The high-rise underwent a multi-million pound overhaul between 2014-2016. The redevelopment was part of a £57m borough-wide regeneration project incorporating an upgrade to the property.

According to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, the tower block was fitted with new insulated exterior cladding and double glazed windows. The communal heating system was also refurbished.

The refurbishment was completed by private construction firm Rydon Ltd, after the project was put out to tender in 2014.  

The redevelopment was carried out without the need to move residents and involved the development of nine new homes within the building, the remodelling of two business units, and work to the tower facade.

The Dale Youth Boxing Club, the former training ground for Olympic Gold medallist James DeGale, was also relocated to another area within Grenfell Tower.

READ MORE: Dozens of fire brigades deployed, people feared trapped by massive inferno at London tower block

Rydon Ltd, the main contractor, says a “more efficient communal heating system and bespoke smoke extract and ventilation system were fitted” in the building.

Meanwhile, exterior rainscreen cladding, replacement windows, curtain walling and feature metalwork worth £2.6 million was completed by Harley Facades.