14 June, 2017
Heavy smoke is still billowing into the air, flames still raging nearly five hours after police received the first report of the fire.
London Fire Brigade has confirmed a number of people have died after fire tore through Grenfell Tower block in North Kensington on Wednesday morning.
Some British media were reporting that residents had been seen shouting for help from windows on upper floors as the fire spread. Reuters could confirm those reports.
In a statement, Commander Stuart Cundy of the Metropolitan Police said, "I can confirm there have been a number of fatalities and others receiving medical care".
The evacuation of people from the Grenfell Tower block remained ongoing, according to police.
Authorities initially received the call at 1:29 a.m. local time to the fire that stretched from the second floor to the top.
The fire broke out before daybreak local time Wednesday, when most of the building's residents would have still been in bed. London Mayor Sadiq Khan said on Twitter that a major incident had been declared. The fire is from the second floor to the top floor of the 27 floor building.
Good Morning Britain news correspondent Jonathan Swain said burning falling debris was making it hard and dangers for firefighters, and he could see people trapped in the building.
Transport for London said there was no service between Hammersmith and Edgware Road on the Circle and Hammersmith and City lines, while the police said the A40 was closed in both directions, owing to the fire. He stated the incident is severe and they deployed many resources and appliances.
"Slowly those apartments are getting engulfed in smoke, then flames", Mr Martin said.
Tim Downie, another eyewitness, told the BBC part of the building was "completely burned away".
"We've complained to council", said Edward Daffarn, 55, who said nothing had been done to improve safety. "I've not heard from them since, the phone is not going through, the landline isn't going through", she said.
"It's horrendous. The whole building is engulfed in flames". It's the most terrifying thing I've ever seen. Still, it is unclear about what is the reason of having that much fire.
