Massive London Fire Traps Many In Homes, Screams Heard From Upper Floors
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Massive London Fire Traps Many In Homes, Screams Heard From Upper Floors

My heart goes out to victims, families and the people of London on this fire incident. Although, no time is ideal, but this particular incident, coming just a few weeks after the heartless terrorists attack on innocent people on the London Bridge and surrounding areas. London, reputed to be the most accomodating city in the world is definitely going through a not so good phase. While this is not a terrorist attack, it is saddening it happened in a tower block that was home to many families.

I remember there were calls for a review of the safety plans in all tower blocks all over the country some years ago. While I am not priviledged to the success of the calls or initiatives, it is instructive that some of the inhabitants of these blocks are dangers to themselves, by their total disregard for health and safety. And most times, because of the inadequate housing facilities, especially in London, they are over crowded with every space crammed up.
Let us remember everyone in our prayers.
– Morakinyo Babajide

Massive London Fire Traps Many In Homes, Screams Heard From Upper Floors

The fire brigade said 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters had been called to the fire in Grenfell Tower in west London

A massive fire ripped through a 27-storey apartment block in west London in the early hours of Wednesday, trapping residents inside as 200 firefighters battled the blaze.

Witnesses could hear screaming from the upper floors as the flames rose and one desperate resident could be seen waving a white cloth. London Ambulance Service said they have taken 30 patients to five hospitals in the city.

Police and fire services attempted to evacuate the concrete block and said “a number of people are being treated for a range of injuries”, including at least two for smoke inhalation.

Local residents had warned a year ago about a potential fire risk

Frantic families at the scene attempted to call their loved ones stuck inside and were being directed by police to a nearby restaurant where some of the injured were being treated.

The fire brigade said 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters had been called to the blaze in Grenfell Tower, which has 120 flats.

The ambulance service said it had sent more than 20 ambulance crews to the scene.

“Fire is from 2nd to top floor of 27 storey building,” the fire service said on Twitter.

Firefighters at the scene said they had managed to evacuate residents up to the 11th floor.

Police were also clearing out nearby buildings because of fears about falling debris.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working extremely hard in very difficult conditions to tackle this fire,” London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Dan Daly said.

“This is a large and very serious incident and we have deployed numerous resources and specialist appliances,” he said.

London mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted: “Major incident declared at Grenfell Tower”

Witnesses could hear screaming from the upper floors as the flames rose

Actor and writer Tim Downie, who lives nearby, said: “It’s horrendous. The whole building is engulfed in flames. It’s gone. It’s just a matter of time before this building collapses”.

Police said in a statement they were called at 1:16am (0016 GMT) “to reports of a large fire at a block of flats in the Lancaster West Estate”.

The apartment block was built in 1974.

Local residents had warned a year ago about a potential fire risk caused by rubbish being allowed to accumulate during improvement works.

“This matter is of particular concern as there is only one entry and exit to Grenfell Tower during the improvement works,” read a blog post by the Grenfell Action Group.

“The potential for a fire to break out in the communal area on the walkway does not bear thinking about as residents would be trapped in the building with no way out,” it said.

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I am an experienced Social Media practitioner with a strong passion for connecting with customers of brands. As part of a team, I presently work on the social media account of a leading European auto company. On this job, I have brought my vast experiences in journalism, marketing, search engine optimisation and branding to play.

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