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Seventeen people have been confirmed dead following a fire which ripped through Grenfell Tower in North Kensington in the early hours of Wednesday (June 14).

The London Fire Brigade were called to the scene at 00.54am, with over 200 firefighters, and more than forty fire engines attending.

According to the Brigade, firefighters remain at the scene today (June 15).

London Ambulance Service confirmed they treated 68 patients and took them to six hospitals across London,18 people are currently in critical care.

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Many people, however, still remain unaccounted for.

We will be bringing you updates in our live blog, on the day following the outbreak of the fatal fire.

We're fundraising for those affected and you can donate by clicking here.

Keep up to date with the latest news in west London via the free getwestlondon app.

You can set up your app to see all the latest news and events from your area, plus receive push notifications for breaking news.

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Back tomorrow

We will continue our live coverage tomorrow, with more updates and reaction from the scene.

Thank you

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'Overwhelming support'

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Scale of operation

This tweet from London Fire Brigade shows drones and dogs have been used in the operation

Earlier today, Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton, said:

The benefit of using those dogs is clearly they are much lighter than people and they can cover a greater area in a very short space of time.

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Stars to play benefit gig

Here are the full details of the benefit gig to be performed in Hammersmith.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday June 16) at 10am.

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Crowds gather for second vigil

Crowds gathered for a second night outside a church in the shadow of Grenfell Tower in a vigil for those affected by the disaster.

Candles were placed alongside floral tributes and posters appealing for help to find those still missing following the blaze.

Scores of people bowed their heads in a minute’s silence in front of the Notting Hill Methodist Church in west London on Thursday (June 15) evening.

The Rev Mike Long said:

Today has been a very long day for a lot of people and most of us didn’t sleep well last night.

We still struggle in many different ways to come to terms with what’s happened and what’s unfolding and struggle to find words.

So sometimes we have to simply fall silent or light candles.

In this act we express all of our sorrow within us and perhaps confusion, or our anger, or simply our prayers.

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Charity urges for cash donations

A charity has urged people to stop donating items for those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire disaster because they are no longer needed.

Muslim Aid, which along with Islamic Relief has collected more than 60 tonnes of supplies, is instead asking for contributions towards a relief fund for the victims.

The organisation has so far raised more than £73,000 for those caught up in the fire at the block in north Kensington.

Jehangir Malik, chief executive of Muslim Aid, said:

We are very grateful for kind donations of food, water, toiletries and other items, but these are no longer needed.

If people wish to help, we ask that they express their generosity through donations, which will go to Grenfell Disaster Victims.

I am shocked and deeply disturbed by the nightmare that we have witnessed and I’m so moved by the amazing generosity and support from our volunteers.

The charity said it will be working with Kensington and Chelsea borough council to assess the needs of families over the coming weeks.

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Brentford Towers re-cladding project on hold

Hounslow Council has put plans to re-clad Brentford Towers on hold following the fire at Grenfell Tower.

The council were at an “advanced stage” in plans to re-clad the six towers but the fatal fire which saw the North Kensington tower “go up like a matchstick” has brought the safety of cladding into question.

For the full story, head here.

The fire broke out at Brentford Towers Estate, Green Dragon Lane.
Brentford Towers Estate, Green Dragon Lane.
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Comedy benefit show

A comedy benefit show is being held to raise money for the victims of the Grenfell fire.

It will include Michael McIntyre, Katherine Ryan, Alan Carr, Josh Widdicombe, Jo Brand, Seann Walsh, Micky Flanagan and Adam Hills.

Funds will be donated through The Kensington & Chelsea Foundation and the event will be held at the Hammersmith Apollo on Tuesday June 27 at 7.30pm.

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Friday June 16) at 10am.

(Image: Channel 4)
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Emergency government scheme

An emergency Government funding scheme has been activated to help meet the costs of the Grenfell Tower disaster.

The Bellwin scheme offers financial assistance to the local authorities involved in dealing with the blaze and its aftermath.

Chancellor Philip Hammond said the scheme would help the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea “provide much-needed services to everybody affected”. The Bellwin scheme, often used to help councils respond to emergencies such as flooding, allows councils, police and fire authorities to have costs reimbursed from Whitehall.

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Charity warning

Crisis has warned of the effort it will take to rehouse residents

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Police speak about identifying victims

Here’s more on the comments from Commander Stuart Cundy, who has warned some of the victims of the Grenfell fire may never be identified.

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More on Jeremy Corbyn's visit

We told you earlier that Labour Jeremy Corbyn had visited, saying the “truth has got to come out and it will”.
You can read and see what else he had to say in our article here.

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Thank you for your generosity

You guys are amazing.

Thanks to you, together we’ve raised over over £20,000 for those affected by the tragedy.

getwestlondon launched a JustGiving page on Wednesday (June 14) with a £5,000 target, but your generosity has seen us smash that figure.

‘Thanks’ isn’t enough, but it’s all we can say at the moment.

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Police: Six victims provisionally identified

The current death toll is standing at 17 and is sure to rise.

The Met’s Stuart Cundy has just said six victims have been provisionally identified.

But according to the BBC, he added: “There is a risk that sadly we may not be able to identify everybody.”

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Message from Lady Victoria Borwick

The former Kensington MP, who lost her in last week’s General Election to Labour’s Emma Dent Coad, has said:

My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the Grenfell Tower tragedy.”

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Help from Hounslow

Help is coming from near and far, with one Hounslow community project sending two trucks full of donations to those affected.

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Jeremy Corbyn visits

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has been to see those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire.

He visited St Clement’s Church, where volunteers have set up a refuge centre.

He met with volunteers and community leaders as they showed him the donations that have been pouring in since the disaster.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a local resident at St Clement's Church, where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower.
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a local resident at St Clement's Church, where volunteers have provided shelter and support for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower. (Image: PA)
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'Stay strong west London, our hearts are with you'

A prayer wall has been created at Latymer Community Church, with hundreds of moving messages and prayers left by people from the bereaved community and beyond.

On it are some incredible touching and moving words.

You can see some of them here.

(Image: TMS)
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Recovery operation could take weeks

London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton warned the recovery operation could take weeks as crews work to make the 24-storey building in north Kensington safe.

She said “unknown numbers” of bodies remain in the tower after a fire broke out in the early hours of Wednesday, adding: “Tragically now we are not expecting to find anyone else alive.”

She added:

This is a large building, there will be a large amount of building work required internally.

It is the upper floors which will be more challenging and will need some additional shoring up for us to be able to get in there.

Grenfell Tower in 2011 before the renovations (left) next to the scene of the west London fire.
Grenfell Tower in 2011 before the renovations (left) next to the scene of the west London fire.
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Beautiful tribute wall

Heart-breaking messages have been left for those confirmed or feared dead. One reads: “We are one.”

Another says: “Bonds formed in fire are difficult to break - our community will always stand together.”

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Readers raise £20,000

Our appeal to support those affected by this tragedy has hit a whopping £20,000. People have been so generous - thank you.

If you’d like to donate, click here.

Grenfell Tower block fire collage
Grenfell Tower block fire collage
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University tribute to victim

The University of West London has paid tribute to victim of the Grenfell fire, Mohammed Al Haj Ali.

Mohammed studied civil engineering at the university.

He wanted to study the subject so that he could one day return to Syria and help the country, said co-founder of the Syria Solidarity Campaign Abdulaziz Almashi.

The university said:

We are shocked and saddened to learn of the death of our student.

Our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with his family and friends.

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Local authorities to conduct high-rise safety checks

Extra fire safety checks are being planned at some high-rise tower blocks following the Grenfell Tower inferno, council chiefs said.

Local authorities in Camden, Newham, Croydon and Redbridge were among those to launch a review in the wake of the blaze in north Kensington that claimed at least 12 lives, PA has reported.

Officials said robust measures were already in place to ensure tall blocks were safe, but that they would be revisited to see if any action needed to be taken. East Sussex-based Harley Facades Ltd, which installed Grenfell Tower’s exterior cladding that has come under scrutiny, fitted similar materials on other high-rises in the capital.

At least 50 people are receiving hospital treatment after the blaze took hold of the residential block
At least 50 people are receiving hospital treatment after the blaze took hold of the residential block (Image: Getty Images Europe/Gurbuz Binici)
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Fire service personnel pictured inside building

Fire service personnel have been pictured inside Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 27-storey building.

Fire service personnel inside Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 27-storey building
Fire service personnel inside Grenfell Tower in west London after a fire engulfed the 27-storey building (Image: PA)

And dogs have been brought in.

A rescue dog is brought to Grenfell Tower in west London
A rescue dog is brought to Grenfell Tower in west London (Image: PA)
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Fire Minister Nick Hurd says fire is 'national tragedy'

Fire Minister Nick Hurd has said he has chaired a meeting in Westminster with MPs.

MPs gathered in Westminster Hall on Thursday afternoon (june 15) to ask questions surrounding the fire.

During a statement at the start of the meeting, Mr Hurd said:

What we are dealing with here is a national tragedy, reflected in the fact that we have Members of Parliament from ... all corners of the United Kingdom to participate in this briefing.

He added:

I’m sure everyone’s thoughts both in this room and outside are with those who have been affected, injured or have lost a loved one in the fire.

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'RIP to all the lost innocent lives'

People share messages on a tribute wall, close to Grenfell Tower.

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Many children are missing following the fire

Posters of missing people are being circulated in the area, as well as online, as people frantically search for their loved ones.

Among the missing are young children.

Read our full article here:

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/grenfell-tower-fire-faces-missing-13190593

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Messages are shared on a tribute wall close to scene of fire

Our reporter, Goolistan Cooper, is at the scene

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We're nearly at £20k

Yesterday we set up a fundraising page in aid of all those affected by this tragedy. Our initial target was £5,000 and thanks to so many generous people, we smashed that in just under seven hours. Fast forward to now and we’re close to hitting our second target of £20,000!

If you can help, even if you just donate £1, we know the people of Grenfell Tower will be so grateful.

Thank you.

Click here to donate.

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First victim named as Mohammed Al Haj Ali

Syrian refugee, Mohammed Al Haj Ali, who came to London “to find safety”, has died in the fire.

More here:

http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/news/west-london-news/grenfell-tower-fire-first-victim-13190076

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