Fire crews are “working tirelessly” at the Grenfell Tower fire nine hours after flames gripped the 27-storey block.

Giving a joint press conference from near the scene in North Kensington on Wednesday (June 14) morning, London Ambulance Service (LAS), London Fire Brigade (LFB) and the Metropolitan Police spoke about the “truly truly shocking fire.”

Several people are known to have died in the blaze .

London Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton said fire crew are still working to extinguish flames and search for people .

Some 200 firefighters and 40 engines are at the scene.

Flames engulfed the 27-storey building

There have been fears that the building could collapse, but the commissioner said a structural engineer had advised it was safe for crews to enter the building.

And she said it was wrong to speculate on the cause of the fire.

Stuart Cundy, from the Met, said a number of police officers were at the scene and urged people to stay away from the area, calling the situation “truly, truly shocking”.

Paul Woodrow from the LAS said more than 50 people had been taken to hospitals across London. Their priority was to make sure patients got the treatment they needed, he said.

Anyone who is concerned about loved ones in relation to the fire should contact Casualty Bureau which has been opened following the fire, on 0800 096 1233.

We've set up a JustGiving page in aid of those affected. To donate visit www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/grenfell-tower-support.

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