Grenfell Tower death toll: thirty people killed in London fire, police confirm

Chris Baynes16 June 2017

At least thirty people died in the Grenfell Tower fire, police have confirmed.

Metropolitan Police commander Stuart Cundy confirmed the death toll as he spoke near the scene of the devastating blaze in west London.

"I'm able to say at this point in time at least 30 people have died as a result of this fire," he said.

Mr Cundy said the victims included one person who had died in hospital.

Two workmen at the top of the tower (Rick Findler/PA )
Rick Findler/PA

"There is nothing to suggest at this time that the fire was started deliberately," he added.

In other developments on Friday:

The revised death toll came as police were scouring the debris with sniffer dogs.

Police added that everyone being treated in hospital has been identified.

30 people have died, police confirmed (Rick Findler/PA )
Rick Findler/PA

It came as Tottenham MP David Lammy said he was mourning the death of artist Khadija Saye.

The 24 year old perished while trying to flee her flat on the 20th floor of the tower.

David Lammy wrote online: "May you rest in peace Khadija Saye. God bless your beautiful soul. My heart breaks today. I mourn the tragic loss of a wonderful young woman".

More than 70 people are believed to be unaccounted for since the blaze, which police fear was so devastating that some victims may never be identified.

Died in blaze: artist Khadija Saye
PA

Mr Cundy said he expected the death toll to rise further.

He said: "The building itself is in a very hazardous state. It is going to take a period of time for our specialists, both from the police and from the London Fire Brigade, to fully search that building to make sure we locate and recover everybody that has sadly perished in that fire. We will be dong that as swiftly as we can."

An investigation led by a senior detective from Scotland Yard's homicide and major crime command is under way with calls for "corporate manslaughter" arrests to be made.

Mr Cundy vowed police "will get to the answer of what has happened and why", adding: "If criminal offences have been committed it is us who will investigate that."

Confronted: Minister Andrea Leadsom during the visit
BBC

Earlier on, angry residents vented their fury at ministers as the Government was told to “get a grip” on the appalling situation.

The Prime Minister visited victims in hospital, following criticism of her failure to meet relatives yesterday.

Theresa May leaves hospital after visiting victims
Helen William/PA

But the growing anger was laid bare when Cabinet minister Andrea Leadsom, the leader of the Commons, was berated in the street on live TV by residents.

One man said: “Enough is enough. I have got friends in that tower. I have every right to be angry. Because of people saving money, people are dying.”

Another resident Nadir, 24, said after confronting Ms Leadsom: “The Government needs to get a grip on this situation.”

Earlier, Jonah Malika, who is looking for a friend who was in the tower, said: “Everyone in the community is angry — they took a perfectly good building and turned it into a death trap.”

The Queen visits the scene of the Grenfell Tower tragedy

1/11

Communities Secretary Sajid Javid was also questioned when he visited a community centre. He promised immediate action to help the victims and emphasised that urgent inspections of all similar buildings were being carried across the country.

Fire investigators have been asked to report by tomorrow, or Sunday at the latest, on what they believe caused the inferno, which is feared to have claimed dozens of lives.

Mr Javid pledged a swift response, based on the initial report to safeguard people, if necessary, in 4,000 high-rise blocks in London and other towns and cities.

“We need to do whatever it takes to make people that live in those properties safe — that is either make the property safe or find other accommodation,” he said.

Experts say at least dozens, possibly hundreds, of blocks in the capital have similar cladding to Grenfell Tower.

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