London: Grenfall Tower fire claims 12 lives, death toll likely to rise
According to the police, the death toll is likely to rise.
"Fire at #GrenfellTower: Commander Cundy has confirmed the number of fatalities has risen to 12 "we believe this number will sadly increase"," the Metropolitan Police tweeted.
"It is very important we identify and account for everybody. Our priority is clearly those that would have been residents of #GrenfellTower," it posted.
The cause of the fire is still not known.
Over 200 firefighters and officers attended this incident, with 40 fire engines and a range of other specialist vehicles, including 14 fire rescue units.
The ambulance service in London confirmed that 69 patients had been taken to six hospitals across London, with 18 in critical care.
"Our latest statement on #GrenfellTower. We've treated & taken 69 patients to 6 hospitals. 18 are in critical care http://bit," London Ambulance tweeted.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was completely devastated by the fire incident.
"I'm truly devastated to see the horrific scenes of the major fire at Grenfell Tower in Kensington. I have been in constant contact throughout the night with the Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, Dany Cotton, who has been at the scene," Khan posted on his Facebook page.
"My heart goes out to everyone affected. I am sad to confirm that we now know there have been fatalities and more than fifty people have been taken to hospitals including Royal Free, King’s, St Thomas’s, St Mary’s and Chelsea and Westminster to be treated for injuries. The fire service is dealing with a rapidly changing situation and these numbers are likely to rise," he said.
Eyewitnesses told they saw people trapped in the building.
The trapped people were screaming for help.
Paul Munakr, who lives on the seventh floor, told BBC: "As I was going down the stairs, there were firefighters, truly amazing firefighters that were actually going upstairs, to the fire, trying to get as many people out the building as possible."
Construction of the Grenfell Tower commenced in 1972 and completed in 1974 as part of Stage 1 of the Lancasterr road West redevelopment project.
Emergency number for anyone with concerns about casualties is 0800 0961 233.
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