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London fire: Prime minister orders full public inquiry London fire: Prime minister orders full public inquiry
(about 1 hour later)
Prime Minister Theresa May has ordered a full public inquiry into the fire that engulfed a west London block of flats, killing at least 17 people.Prime Minister Theresa May has ordered a full public inquiry into the fire that engulfed a west London block of flats, killing at least 17 people.
That figure is expected to rise, as fire chiefs do not expect to find any more survivors in the burnt-out Grenfell Tower in north Kensington. That figure is expected to rise, as fire chiefs do not expect to find any more survivors in the burnt-out Grenfell Tower in North Kensington.
The PM said people "deserve answers" as to why the fire spread so rapidly.The PM said people "deserve answers" as to why the fire spread so rapidly.
The first victim has been named by the Syria Solidarity Campaign as Syrian refugee Mohammed Alhajali, 23.The first victim has been named by the Syria Solidarity Campaign as Syrian refugee Mohammed Alhajali, 23.
In a statement, the organisation said the civil engineering student was in a flat on the 14th floor when the fire broke out, and spent two hours on the phone to a friend in Syria.In a statement, the organisation said the civil engineering student was in a flat on the 14th floor when the fire broke out, and spent two hours on the phone to a friend in Syria.
He was trying to get through to his family while he was waiting to be rescued.He was trying to get through to his family while he was waiting to be rescued.
The group said: "Mohammed bid his friend goodbye, saying that the fire had reached him. He asked his friend to pass on the message to his family...The group said: "Mohammed bid his friend goodbye, saying that the fire had reached him. He asked his friend to pass on the message to his family...
"Mohammed undertook a dangerous journey to flee war and death in Syria, only to meet it here in the UK, in his own home."Mohammed undertook a dangerous journey to flee war and death in Syria, only to meet it here in the UK, in his own home.
"Mohammed came to this country for safety and the UK failed to protect him.""Mohammed came to this country for safety and the UK failed to protect him."
His older brother, Omar, lost him on the way out and survived, the organisation said.His older brother, Omar, lost him on the way out and survived, the organisation said.
Six victims of the Grenfell Tower blaze have been provisionally identified, Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy said, but "there is a risk that sadly we may not be able to identify everybody".Six victims of the Grenfell Tower blaze have been provisionally identified, Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy said, but "there is a risk that sadly we may not be able to identify everybody".
Asked about the number of dead, Cdr Cundy said: "I hope it is not triple figures, but I can't be drawn on the numbers."
On the first day of the investigation, the police's casualty bureau was said to have received 5,000 calls.
Earlier, Mrs May made a private visit to the scene, where she spoke to Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton and members of the emergency services.Earlier, Mrs May made a private visit to the scene, where she spoke to Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton and members of the emergency services.
She said: "[The emergency services] told me that the way this fire had spread and took hold of the building was rapid, it was ferocious, it was unexpected.She said: "[The emergency services] told me that the way this fire had spread and took hold of the building was rapid, it was ferocious, it was unexpected.
"So it is right that, in addition to the immediate fire report that will be produced and any potential police investigation, that we do have a full public inquiry to get to the bottom of this.""So it is right that, in addition to the immediate fire report that will be produced and any potential police investigation, that we do have a full public inquiry to get to the bottom of this."
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also visited the site, meeting residents affected by the fire. He told community leaders "the truth has to come out".Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn also visited the site, meeting residents affected by the fire. He told community leaders "the truth has to come out".
Number 10 confirmed the inquiry will be judge-led. The Labour MP Harriet Harman criticised Mrs May for not meeting residents, writing on Twitter: "She should have been prepared to listen to them."
Sources say the government hopes to announce the name of the judge "soon", the BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith said, and this will be followed by a full commons statement on the inquiry after the Queen's Speech on 21 June. Number 10 confirmed the public inquiry will be judge-led. Sources say the government hopes to announce the name of the judge "soon", the BBC's assistant political editor Norman Smith said.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said one of the issues the inquiry will consider is the refurbishment of the tower blocks and whether it was refurbished in a safe way.
What is a public inquiry?What is a public inquiry?
By Brian Wheeler, BBC NewsBy Brian Wheeler, BBC News
Public inquiries are set up for many reasons. Sometimes they are designed to expose the truth after a controversy, or apportion blame to individuals.Public inquiries are set up for many reasons. Sometimes they are designed to expose the truth after a controversy, or apportion blame to individuals.
More often, they simply produce recommendations, which the government can choose to follow or not. Recent examples include Leveson, into press standards, and Chilcot, into the Iraq war.More often, they simply produce recommendations, which the government can choose to follow or not. Recent examples include Leveson, into press standards, and Chilcot, into the Iraq war.
They differ from police investigations or probes by official bodies because they are conducted, in part at least, in public. They might even be televised.They differ from police investigations or probes by official bodies because they are conducted, in part at least, in public. They might even be televised.
They can be run by a judge, with witnesses giving evidence under oath, or another member of "the great and good", but there is no fixed model. Much depends on the "terms of reference".They can be run by a judge, with witnesses giving evidence under oath, or another member of "the great and good", but there is no fixed model. Much depends on the "terms of reference".
They can also drag on for years and cost millions of pounds, although the government says it wants the Grenfell Tower inquiry to "move with speed".They can also drag on for years and cost millions of pounds, although the government says it wants the Grenfell Tower inquiry to "move with speed".
Rydon, the company that carried out the £8.6m refurbishment of Grenfell Tower, said it welcomed the announcement of the public inquiry.
It said it carried out a partial refurbishment which "met all required building regulations as well as fire regulation and health and safety standards".
The tower is managed by the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation on behalf of the council.
In its latest statement, it offered its "sincere and heartfelt condolences" to those affected and said its immediate concern and focus was working with the council to assist the residents of the tower block.
Housing minister Alok Sharma said the government is working with the local authority to ensure that "every single family will be re-housed in the local area".Housing minister Alok Sharma said the government is working with the local authority to ensure that "every single family will be re-housed in the local area".
Fire minister Nick Hurd called the fire a "national tragedy" and said there was "no room for plodding bureaucracy".Fire minister Nick Hurd called the fire a "national tragedy" and said there was "no room for plodding bureaucracy".
He said there should be "no stone unturned on this because we completely understand the shock, the concern, the anger, the frustration, the fear that is out there".He said there should be "no stone unturned on this because we completely understand the shock, the concern, the anger, the frustration, the fear that is out there".
Firefighters were called to the 24-storey residential tower in the early hours of Wednesday, at a time when hundreds of people were inside, most of them sleeping.Firefighters were called to the 24-storey residential tower in the early hours of Wednesday, at a time when hundreds of people were inside, most of them sleeping.
Many were woken by neighbours, or shouts from below, and fled the building.Many were woken by neighbours, or shouts from below, and fled the building.
Fire crews rescued 65 adults and children, but some stayed in their homes, trapped by smoke and flames.Fire crews rescued 65 adults and children, but some stayed in their homes, trapped by smoke and flames.
Thirty people remain in hospital - 15 of whom are in a critical condition.Thirty people remain in hospital - 15 of whom are in a critical condition.
The Queen earlier said her "thoughts and prayers" are with families. The Queen earlier said her "thoughts and prayers" were with families.
At the scene
By Mario Cacciottolo, BBC News
Father Bisrat Berhanu, 55, is an Orthodox priest and lives in Lancaster Way. He's been in the area for 19 years.
He would visit people in Grenfell Tower, knew families there, and is shocked at what's happened.
"The community is dynamic, it's close," he says.
"The people in the tower blocks knew each other, they were like a family. I've met people who lived there. We've cried together.
"We're feeling shock and shock. Everyone's been ringing me, even people from overseas, asking just what has happened."
Christina Simmons, 56, lives in a street close to the tower and has been a local for 27 years.
"People are coming together and rallying together," she says.
Read more from Mario
On Thursday morning, London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said her crews had identified a "number" of those killed, "but we know there will be more".On Thursday morning, London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said her crews had identified a "number" of those killed, "but we know there will be more".
Asked how many were still missing, Met Police Commander Stuart Cundy said it would be "wrong and incredibly distressing" to give a number. A brief search of all floors in the tower had been carried out, but "a good half" of the building had yet to be searched in detail.
"I know one person was reported 46 times to the casualty bureau," he said. Commissioner Cotton said the severity of the fire and amount of debris meant a thorough search would be "difficult and painstaking".
A brief search of all floors in the tower had been carried out, but the severity of the fire and amount of debris meant a thorough search would be "difficult and painstaking", Commissioner Cotton said.
Sniffer dogs will now be sent in to search for evidence and identification of people still inside.
Temporary structures will be built inside the block to shore it up, before more thorough work can begin.Temporary structures will be built inside the block to shore it up, before more thorough work can begin.
The cause of the fire, which took more than 24 hours to bring under control, remains unknown.The cause of the fire, which took more than 24 hours to bring under control, remains unknown.
Throughout the morning, only wisps of smoke were seen coming from the charred building, but flames were later seen flaring up on a lower floor.
London-born Adele and her husband visited the scene on Wednesday evening, and the singer was seen comforting people.
Singer Rita Ora pitched in by helping to sort donations outside the tower.
Photographs and messages in English and Arabic have been left for loved ones on a wall of condolence near the tower block.Photographs and messages in English and Arabic have been left for loved ones on a wall of condolence near the tower block.
Alongside them are words of anger and calls for justice, with people saying their safety concerns were not listened to.Alongside them are words of anger and calls for justice, with people saying their safety concerns were not listened to.
The local authority - Kensington and Chelsea council - said 44 households had been placed in emergency accommodation so far.
Throughout Wednesday night, people donated food, clothes and blankets for those left without homes.
By early morning, some volunteers said they had been overwhelmed with donations and were turning people and vans away.
BBC Newsnight's Chris Cook says the type of cladding on the outside of Grenfell Tower, installed in 2015 during a refurbishment, had a polyethylene - or plastic - core, instead of a more fireproof alternative with a mineral core.
Similar cladding was used in high-rise buildings hit by fires in France, the UAE and Australia, he said.
The government has said checks were now planned on tower blocks that have gone through a similar upgrade.The government has said checks were now planned on tower blocks that have gone through a similar upgrade.
Construction firm Rydon, which carried out the refurbishment, initially said in a statement that the work met "all fire regulations".
The wording was omitted in a later statement.
Fire risk assessment in tower blocks was "less rigorous" since responsibility for it shifted from the fire brigade to the owner, Sian Berry, housing committee chairwoman of the London Assembly, said.Fire risk assessment in tower blocks was "less rigorous" since responsibility for it shifted from the fire brigade to the owner, Sian Berry, housing committee chairwoman of the London Assembly, said.
Concerns have also been raised about fire alarms not going off and the lack of sprinklers.Concerns have also been raised about fire alarms not going off and the lack of sprinklers.
It is still possible to build tall buildings without sprinklers, said Russ Timpson of the Tall Buildings Fire Safety Network, but he expected regulations might change soon.It is still possible to build tall buildings without sprinklers, said Russ Timpson of the Tall Buildings Fire Safety Network, but he expected regulations might change soon.
Overseas colleagues are "staggered" when they hear tall buildings are built in the UK with a single staircase, he added.Overseas colleagues are "staggered" when they hear tall buildings are built in the UK with a single staircase, he added.
Roy Wilsher, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said that if the fire spread up the outside of the tower, sprinklers might not have made a difference.Roy Wilsher, chair of the National Fire Chiefs Council, said that if the fire spread up the outside of the tower, sprinklers might not have made a difference.
Design and regulations for such tower blocks mean fire should be contained in a single flat, he said. "Clearly something's gone wrong in this case."Design and regulations for such tower blocks mean fire should be contained in a single flat, he said. "Clearly something's gone wrong in this case."
An emergency number - 0800 0961 233 - has been set up for anyone concerned about friends or family.An emergency number - 0800 0961 233 - has been set up for anyone concerned about friends or family.
Those who have reported someone as missing, but have since found them, are also asked to get in touch with police.
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