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(UPDATE: 11:15 a.m.) - London Metropolitan Police have confirmed that the death toll from the Grenfell Tower fire has increased to 12.
That number is expected to rise as well with dozens battling injuries at multiple hospitals around London and fire crews still searching the building.
Fire at #GrenfellTower: Commander Cundy has confirmed the number of fatalities has risen to 12 "we believe this number will sadly increase"
— Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) June 14, 2017
(Original story: 6:40 a.m.) - Six people are dead following a massive fire at a high rise in London, England.
Fire fighters have begun to battle the blaze at Grenfell tower pic.twitter.com/IXz00XmfRC
— EBajgora (@Ebajgora17) June 14, 2017
The London Metropolitan Police confirmed the fatalities in the early Wednesday morning blaze that started at 1:16 a.m. local time and burned well into the morning.
According to London Ambulance Service, 64 more people were taken to six different hospital across London with 20 of those people in critical care.
Ladbroke Grove in West London right now. This is the street I live on. pic.twitter.com/7W2HI1bWmq
— Jackson Harries (@JackHarries) June 14, 2017
“Our thoughts are with everyone involved in this truly shocking fire at Grenfell Tower,” said Metropolitan Police Commander, Stuart Cundy. “I can confirm six fatalities at this time, but this figure is likely to rise during what is a complex recovery operation over a number of days.”
In total, 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters responded to the blaze at the 24-storey Grenfell Tower, which was quickly labelled a major incident.
The #GrenfellFire is progressing rapidly. I hope those poor people can get out. #Fire #London pic.twitter.com/SwgpPU7qyc
— Adrián Genesir (@AGenesir) June 14, 2017
With the fire now under control, a lengthy investigation will begin.
“The cause of the fire is not known at this stage,” said a statement from the London Fire Commissioner. “Clearly we will be here all day and will be providing further updates, working with the Metropolitan Police and London Ambulance Service.”
c.3 hours after fire outbreak in grenfell tower, latimer road pic.twitter.com/lVGYY6i5kv
— Elisabeth Steyn (@ElisabethSteyn) June 14, 2017
The investigation could get ugly, as many social media reports are saying that this isn’t the first fire incident at Grenfell Tower and that safety concerns fell on deaf ears.
It’s also surfaced on social media that fire safety advice inside the building told residents to stay in their apartments if there was ever a fire.