A major fire in London: 50 people hospitalized
In the prestigious area lit up 24-storey residential tower, Grenfell tower, there are victims.
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At least 50 people taken to hospitals with injuries received in a fire in London, told the AP at 10: 48 GMT, citing data from the city ambulance service (8.30 UK time). Before that, Reuters reported 30 victims in five hospitals. West of the city, with the night lit 27-storey residential tower, Grenfell tower.
Later, the BBC with reference to the fire Commissioner Dany cotton said that there were casualties.
The exact number has not yet named the cause of death was not announced, there is no accurate data, because “the building is large and complex.” Cotton noted that she could remember such complex of fires was not. She called all the saved to be withdrawn and to be celebrated.
Message about the fire came at 0.45 a.m. local time, soon the building burned entirely. The cause of the fire has not been established. Several hours of fire fighting 200 firefighters from 40 teams. The fire was visible from afar: the building resembled a torch. By morning the tower is mainly smoked, although, according to eyewitnesses, on the upper floors still flashed fire. As noted by the BBC, the automatic cannon, aimed at the tower, reaches a height of 10 floors and above is lacking.
The media reported that the tower is 27 floors. The BBC, citing the Council of Kensington and Chelsea says it 24 floors 120 apartments on 20 floors. The building, constructed in 1974, contains in the interests of the Council Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management.
Recently it was renovated at a cost of 10 million pounds, there changed the external cladding and the Central heating system.
The repair lasted two years and ended in 2016 to review the management company after the fire, the air force has failed.
The building was home to several hundred people. Many were awakened by smoke and escaped on their own. Firefighters have to work in respirators. At 4 a.m. the police said that the evacuation of residents at that time continued. Eyewitnesses claimed to have seen flashes, like the light of torches or mobile phones, on the roof of the building and that people prayed for salvation from some Windows. Reuters confirm this information failed. Some of the saved remained in pajamas. A local resident told the Agency that he was afraid that not all were saved.
The mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, announced a major emergency and introduced appropriate measures. Because of the fire police closed in both directions route to the A40 which leads to the West from London. Partly covered by separate sections. The area of the fire is surrounded by police.
According to the BBC, the police gradually moved the cordon further and further, fearing that the building might collapse.
Later the Khan said to the BBC that you have to deal with the issue of fire safety of residential buildings. “We can’t jeopardize the safety of people because of improper counseling or, as it is supposed in this case that a multi-storey building is not properly maintained,” said the mayor.
The representative of the trade Union of firefighters Matt REK believes that the provision of fire safety Grenfell tower obviously something was done wrong. According to him, usually firefighters extinguish such fires inside the building using fire exits, in this case it was impossible.