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London fire: What we know so far about Grenfell Tower London fire: What we know so far about Grenfell Tower
(35 minutes later)
Seventeen people have died and 17 people are in critical care after a huge fire engulfed a west London tower block in the early hours of Wednesday.Seventeen people have died and 17 people are in critical care after a huge fire engulfed a west London tower block in the early hours of Wednesday.
Rescuers say they do not expect to find anyone else alive.Rescuers say they do not expect to find anyone else alive.
What happened?What happened?
The fire was reported at the 24-storey block, Grenfell Tower, in north Kensington, 00:54 BST on Wednesday.The fire was reported at the 24-storey block, Grenfell Tower, in north Kensington, 00:54 BST on Wednesday.
It is believed to have started on the fourth floor and spread quickly.It is believed to have started on the fourth floor and spread quickly.
Forty fire engines and more than 200 firefighters went to tackle the blaze.Forty fire engines and more than 200 firefighters went to tackle the blaze.
The fire affected all floors of the building, from the second floor up,The fire affected all floors of the building, from the second floor up,
Firefighters worked with the gas authority to isolate a ruptured gas main in the block.Firefighters worked with the gas authority to isolate a ruptured gas main in the block.
Once it was completed, they were able to extinguish the fire with the help of a 40 metre aerial appliance.Once it was completed, they were able to extinguish the fire with the help of a 40 metre aerial appliance.
The blaze was under control by 01:14 BST on Thursday.The blaze was under control by 01:14 BST on Thursday.
⦿ Latest updates⦿ Latest updates
How many victims are there?How many victims are there?
Seventeen people have died, according to police, with the number expected to rise.Seventeen people have died, according to police, with the number expected to rise.
The London Ambulance Service says 74 people have been treated in six hospitals - St Mary's, Chelsea and Westminster, Royal Free, St Thomas', Charing Cross Hospital and King's College Hospital.The London Ambulance Service says 74 people have been treated in six hospitals - St Mary's, Chelsea and Westminster, Royal Free, St Thomas', Charing Cross Hospital and King's College Hospital.
Thirty-seven patients remain in hospital of whom 17 are in critical care. Thirty patients remain in hospital of whom 15 are in critical care.
Firefighters rescued 65 people from the building, according to the London Fire Brigade. Others made their own way out.Firefighters rescued 65 people from the building, according to the London Fire Brigade. Others made their own way out.
It is unknown how many people remain unaccounted for, with police saying that it is unlikely that more survivors will be found.It is unknown how many people remain unaccounted for, with police saying that it is unlikely that more survivors will be found.
London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said a "number" of firefighters had suffered minor injuries.London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said a "number" of firefighters had suffered minor injuries.
Eyewitnesses said some people may have been trapped in the building, which contains about 120 flats.Eyewitnesses said some people may have been trapped in the building, which contains about 120 flats.
Notting Dale ward councillor Judith Blakeman, who lives across the road from the block, said between 400 and 600 people live in the building.Notting Dale ward councillor Judith Blakeman, who lives across the road from the block, said between 400 and 600 people live in the building.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said fire crews only managed to reach the 12th floor at the height of the fire.London Mayor Sadiq Khan said fire crews only managed to reach the 12th floor at the height of the fire.
The Met Police has set up an emergency number - 0800 0961 233 - for anyone concerned about friends or family.The Met Police has set up an emergency number - 0800 0961 233 - for anyone concerned about friends or family.
Grenfell Tower residents have been asked to go to the Portobello Rugby Club at Walmer Road and make themselves known.Grenfell Tower residents have been asked to go to the Portobello Rugby Club at Walmer Road and make themselves known.
Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council said it was helping anyone who needed emergency accommodation and was giving financial assistance to cover their immediate needs.Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council said it was helping anyone who needed emergency accommodation and was giving financial assistance to cover their immediate needs.
"Our immediate priority is to accommodate the residents of Grenfell Tower, families with young children, the elderly and the vulnerable," it said."Our immediate priority is to accommodate the residents of Grenfell Tower, families with young children, the elderly and the vulnerable," it said.
Baby 'dropped to safety from tower fire'Baby 'dropped to safety from tower fire'
What caused the fire?What caused the fire?
It is not yet known what caused the fire.It is not yet known what caused the fire.
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said "a full investigation will need to be undertaken at the first possible opportunity".Matt Wrack, general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said "a full investigation will need to be undertaken at the first possible opportunity".
How are fires fought in high-rise blocks?How are fires fought in high-rise blocks?
Where is the tower block?Where is the tower block?
Grenfell Tower is on Latimer Road, in west London.Grenfell Tower is on Latimer Road, in west London.
It's part of the Lancaster West Estate, a social housing complex of almost 1,000 homes, in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea.It's part of the Lancaster West Estate, a social housing complex of almost 1,000 homes, in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
The tower block is near Westfield shopping centre in White City and the A40 - a major route for traffic entering and leaving the west of London.The tower block is near Westfield shopping centre in White City and the A40 - a major route for traffic entering and leaving the west of London.
What do we know about Grenfell Tower?What do we know about Grenfell Tower?
Grenfell Tower was built in 1974 by Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council.Grenfell Tower was built in 1974 by Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council.
An £8.6m refurbishment - which was part of a wider transformation of the estate - was completed by Rydon Construction in May last year. Work included new exterior cladding, replacement windows and a communal heating system.An £8.6m refurbishment - which was part of a wider transformation of the estate - was completed by Rydon Construction in May last year. Work included new exterior cladding, replacement windows and a communal heating system.
There was also extensive remodelling of the bottom four floors, creating nine additional homes, and improvements to communal facilities.There was also extensive remodelling of the bottom four floors, creating nine additional homes, and improvements to communal facilities.
Plans for the development show how the building was modified and the single stairway.Plans for the development show how the building was modified and the single stairway.
Rydon said it was "shocked to hear of the devastating fire" adding that the work "met all required building control, fire regulation and health & safety standards".Rydon said it was "shocked to hear of the devastating fire" adding that the work "met all required building control, fire regulation and health & safety standards".
It later issued a new statement, removing the previous mention of the building meeting fire regulation standards, instead saying the project met "all required building regulations".It later issued a new statement, removing the previous mention of the building meeting fire regulation standards, instead saying the project met "all required building regulations".
The tower is managed by the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) on behalf of the council.The tower is managed by the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation (KCTMO) on behalf of the council.
In its latest statement, it offered its "sincere and heartfelt condolences" to those affected by the "devastating event" at Grenfell Tower.In its latest statement, it offered its "sincere and heartfelt condolences" to those affected by the "devastating event" at Grenfell Tower.
It said its immediate concern and focus was working with the council to assist the residents of the tower block and those affected by the tragedy.It said its immediate concern and focus was working with the council to assist the residents of the tower block and those affected by the tragedy.
How safe was the tower block?How safe was the tower block?
The local Grenfell Action Group had claimed, before and during the refurbishment, that the block constituted a fire risk and residents had warned that access to the site for emergency vehicles was "severely restricted".The local Grenfell Action Group had claimed, before and during the refurbishment, that the block constituted a fire risk and residents had warned that access to the site for emergency vehicles was "severely restricted".
In February 2013 residents warned fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, had not been tested for 12 months.In February 2013 residents warned fire safety equipment, including fire extinguishers, had not been tested for 12 months.
KCTMO said it was aware that concerns had been raised historically by residents and they would form part of its investigations.KCTMO said it was aware that concerns had been raised historically by residents and they would form part of its investigations.
The tower block was given a medium fire risk rating - defined as a normal fire risk - in 2016 following completion of the refurbishment by the London Fire Brigade and Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council.The tower block was given a medium fire risk rating - defined as a normal fire risk - in 2016 following completion of the refurbishment by the London Fire Brigade and Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council.
The council insists the block has been regularly inspected, but London Mayor Sadiq Khan said safety and maintenance issues would have to be looked at.The council insists the block has been regularly inspected, but London Mayor Sadiq Khan said safety and maintenance issues would have to be looked at.
Concerns raised about Grenfell Tower 'for years'Concerns raised about Grenfell Tower 'for years'
Geoff Wilkinson, a fire and building inspector, told the BBC that the Grenfell Tower block "didn't perform in the way you'd expect a building to perform" once it caught fire as "you'd expect it to be contained to an individual apartment".Geoff Wilkinson, a fire and building inspector, told the BBC that the Grenfell Tower block "didn't perform in the way you'd expect a building to perform" once it caught fire as "you'd expect it to be contained to an individual apartment".
"Something has gone dramatically wrong here," he said."Something has gone dramatically wrong here," he said.
The fire safety advice for Grenfell Tower residents was to "stay put" - unless the fire was affecting their own flat.The fire safety advice for Grenfell Tower residents was to "stay put" - unless the fire was affecting their own flat.
David Sibert, Fire Brigade Union fire safety expert, said: "The principle that tower blocks are built on is that every flat is a fire-resisting box - every flat is completely surrounded by fire-resisting construction from the rest of the building.David Sibert, Fire Brigade Union fire safety expert, said: "The principle that tower blocks are built on is that every flat is a fire-resisting box - every flat is completely surrounded by fire-resisting construction from the rest of the building.
"So you should be able to set fire to your own flat and leave it to completely burn out and it won't affect anybody else in the building.""So you should be able to set fire to your own flat and leave it to completely burn out and it won't affect anybody else in the building."
Six questions for the investigationSix questions for the investigation
What are eyewitnesses saying?What are eyewitnesses saying?
Eyewitnesses said they saw people trapped inside the burning building screaming for help, and shouting for their children to be saved.Eyewitnesses said they saw people trapped inside the burning building screaming for help, and shouting for their children to be saved.
Some said they saw lights - thought to be mobile phones or torches - flashing at the top of the block of flats, and trapped residents coming to their windows - some holding children.Some said they saw lights - thought to be mobile phones or torches - flashing at the top of the block of flats, and trapped residents coming to their windows - some holding children.
Eyewitness Jody Martin said: "I watched one person falling out, I watched another woman holding her baby out the window... hearing screams."Eyewitness Jody Martin said: "I watched one person falling out, I watched another woman holding her baby out the window... hearing screams."
Tiago Etienne, 17, saw small children being thrown out of the building from as high as the 15th floor.Tiago Etienne, 17, saw small children being thrown out of the building from as high as the 15th floor.
Paul Munakr, who lives on the seventh floor, managed to escape. But he said he was alerted to the fire not by fire alarms but by people on the street below, shouting "don't jump, don't jump".Paul Munakr, who lives on the seventh floor, managed to escape. But he said he was alerted to the fire not by fire alarms but by people on the street below, shouting "don't jump, don't jump".
Grenfall Tower witnesses recall harrowing nightGrenfall Tower witnesses recall harrowing night
How people are helpingHow people are helping
Churches, community centres and football clubs have been inundated with donations of clothes and toiletries for those affected - many of who were forced to escape the burning building in their night clothes.Churches, community centres and football clubs have been inundated with donations of clothes and toiletries for those affected - many of who were forced to escape the burning building in their night clothes.
The majority of the centres have requested locals hold off sending down any more donations until further requests are made.The majority of the centres have requested locals hold off sending down any more donations until further requests are made.
A number of individuals have also reached out via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to offer accommodation and transport help.A number of individuals have also reached out via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to offer accommodation and transport help.
Read more about what you can do to helpRead more about what you can do to help
What other disruption is there?What other disruption is there?
People are being advised by police to stay away from the area, where roads are closed, and to expect bus diversions on several routes.People are being advised by police to stay away from the area, where roads are closed, and to expect bus diversions on several routes.
Falling debris has caused a number of flats in the area to be evacuated.Falling debris has caused a number of flats in the area to be evacuated.
NHS England is asking Londoners to use its services "wisely" and, if they need medical attention, to "seek advice from NHS 111 in the first instance".NHS England is asking Londoners to use its services "wisely" and, if they need medical attention, to "seek advice from NHS 111 in the first instance".
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