14 June, 2017
Several people have died after a huge fire ripped through a west London tower block, with many residents still missing amid reports of people trapped in their homes.
There is still no official word on how many residents managed to escape the fire in the Grenfell Tower, but Tim, who lives 600m from the fire, told ABC News 24 he had heard locals claiming that children had been thrown from windows as the fire raged.
One resident identified as Sophia told the BBC the fire was "all the way through" the building and firefighters were "losing the battle". But things quickly escalated beyond measure and they couldn't go back in and get them. He said he heard sirens, helicopters and shouting and then saw the building engulfed in flames.
A report via the bbc told of the fire starting on the second floor before spreading to the roof of the 120-flat block, with 200 firefighters struggling to bring it under control.
'Forty fire engines and over 200 firefighters and officers have been called to a tower block fire on the Lancaster West estate in North Kensington this morning.
A dramatic photograph posted by the fire service showed the side of the building engulfed in flames.
Those unresolved issues caused the action group to raise concerns about safety but repairs weren't implemented until residents stormed the management office, they said.
Numerous residents caught up in the Grenfell Tower fire were up late for Ramadan, which meant they were able to smell the smoke and escape fast, reports suggest.
Cotton said a number of people died in the fire, but she couldn't confirm how many because of the size and complexity of the building. "A lot of people said 'Help, help, help.' The fire brigade could only help downstairs".
"There was bits of building falling off all around me, I scalded my shin on a hot piece of metal that had fallen off the building", said Jodie Martin, who lives close to the building and sought to save people from the fire. Some said no fire alarm sounded.
"I looked through the spy hole and I could see smoke everywhere and the neighbours are all there".
The tower is located in west London, about five miles from the city center. Police said earlier they were continuing to evacuate people from the apartment building Wednesday morning.
Clarke added, "I'm 100 meters away and I'm absolutely covered in ash".