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A total of 12 people have so far been confirmed dead after the fire that ripped through a tower block in North Kensington on Wednesday (June 14).

London Fire Brigade were called to the 27 storey Grenfell Tower at 00.54am, sending 45 fire engines from crews across west London.

According to the fire service, the fire spread from the second floor to the top floor.

Police have now said the number of fatalities is likely to rise.

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

We will be bringing you updates in our blog.

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Follow our live blog for updates on Thursday (June 15).

More than £500,000 raised

Companies, individuals and charities have sprung into action to offer help to anyone affected by the Grenfell Tower fire, with crowdfunding pages raising more than £500,000 in fewer than 24 hours.

It is a great amount and shows the community spirit in such terrible circumstances.

We are going to bring our live coverage to a close for the evening.

We will be back tomorrow with all the latest, thank you.

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Pictures from the vigil

Crowds have gathered to pay tribute to the victims.

Our latest story shows pictures of the crowds gathering to pay their respects.

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Vigil

Dozens of people have gathered for a vigil in the shadow of the Grenfell Tower, the Press Association is reporting.

Many were moved to tears after a moment of silent contemplation outside the Notting Hill Methodist Church in west London.

The Rev Mike Long invited those present to light candles to place on the steps of the church on Wednesday evening.

He then played Amazing Grace on his flute as members of the crowd sang along.

People light candles as people gather for prayers outside the Notting Hill Methodist Church, after a fire engulfed Grenfell Tower in west London. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Wednesday Ju...

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Tower's management will 'take part in full investigation'

Robert Black, chief executive of the Kensington and Chelsea Tenant Management Organisation, which manages Grenfell Tower, said there had been “no expectation this would happen”.

Asked whether he regretted that the block had not been fitted with sprinklers, he told ITV News London: “This isn’t a new build, it’s a refurbishment.

“I cannot comment on what these issues are at the moment because I am trying to work out the things on the ground.”

He added: “We will take part in a full investigation to find out and we’ll address through that investigation all the issues that have been raised.”

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PM promises 'proper investigation' into fire

Prime minster Theresa May paid tribute to the efforts of the emergency services and said support should be given to the hundreds affected by the fire. Speaking from Downing Street she said: “There are people tonight who have no home to go to, they have lost absolutely everything, so our focus must be on support to them.

“In due course, when the scene is secure, when it’s possible to identify the cause of this fire, then of course there will be proper investigation and if there are any lessons to be learnt they will be, and action will be taken.”

Here is her statement in full:

I have just received the latest update on the appalling tragedy at Grenfell Tower. Twelve people have been confirmed dead in this terrible fire that has taken place, and sadly, the police expect that number to rise further.

My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all of those who had their homes destroyed. It’s impossible to comprehend the horror of what they’ve been going through.

The response of people living nearby who have provided help, compassion and support has I think, once again, shown the fantastic spirit of London.

Earlier today, I ordered a cross-Government meeting to ensure that every assistance was being given to manage the emergency service response, and that group will meet again tomorrow.

Once again, our emergency services – the fire service, ambulance, NHS and police - have shown incredible bravery, working in truly appalling conditions.

Their work will continue for some time, and I know everybody will want to join me in thanking them for their amazing bravery.

Many people will be working around the clock in the NHS to treat those who have been injured, and working elsewhere to provide help and support to those who have no home to return to.

Of course, once the scene is secure, once the recovery is complete, then an investigation will take place into the cause of the fire and if there are any lessons to be learned.

Until then, our focus must be on ensuring that the emergency services have what they need to continue with their harrowing work, and that help and support is being provided to all those who have suffered as a result of this tragedy.

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A40 likely to be closed until tomorrow

Here is the latest from Transport for London:

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"best of our community"

Kensington’s MP has been speaking following the fire.

Emma Dent Coad said:

The terrible events of last night and this morning have devastated our community.

Our thoughts are with the family and friends who have experienced such tragic loss.

We have already seen our community coming together in the face of this tragedy.

Local people have been streaming into support centres with clothes, food and other supplies to help those affected.

It is at times like these that we see the very best of our community, coming together in the face of such adversity.

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Investigation

Prime Minister Theresa May said there will be a “proper investigation” following the Grenfell Tower fire, adding: “If there are any lessons to be learned they will be, and action will be taken.”

Flowers and tributes at Silchester Road
Flowers and tributes at Silchester Road
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Fundraising efforts

Thank you to everyone who has donated since getwestlondon launched a fundraising page earlier today.

The target has been well and truly passed, as it has reached more than £7,000.

If you are able to spare any donation, please do here.

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Council statement

Here is the latest statement from the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea:

We have been inundated with kind offers of help and support by individuals, organisations and businesses. It has been overwhelming and been brilliant but we have not been able to sift through all these offers yet.

What I can confirm is that the immediate housing needs of Grenfell Tower residents have been addressed / are being addressed.

We are providing emergency accommodation for those affected by today’s fire at Grenfell Tower.

Our immediate priority is to accommodate the residents of Grenfell Tower, families with young children, the elderly and the vulnerable.

For those unable to return to their homes in the surrounding area a rest centre has been set up at Westway Sports Centre.

We are still placing households and housing officers will work throughout the night to provide assistance and support.

We have heard a number of theories about the cause of the fire at Grenfell Tower.

All of these will be thoroughly investigated as part of the formal investigation which has already begun.

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Pupil's mum: 'It's going to affect everyone'

Anna Fabres says her 12-year-old daughter, a pupil at Kensington Aldridge, is devastated and dreads her returning to school to hear more horrible stories.

She said: “My daughter is in year 7, she’s just 12.

“I’ve been in the area since 1993, I know so many people here. It’s going to affect everyone.

“I’ve seen the kids who’ve lived in that building through primary school and secondary school and my daughter was born here.”

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Kensington Aldridge head: 'We are part of this community and its pain is ours'

Comment from Kensington Aldridge Academy principal David Benson:

This is a desperately sad time for the school. Our thoughts are with those families affected by this tragedy.

“We are part of this community and its pain is ours. As a school our priority is to work with those students and families affected, but also to ensure that we continue to the best of our ability to offer the high standards of education with which we are associated.

“Ours may be a new school, but it is a strong, resilient and successful school.

“Working together we will come through this with our values and commitment strengthened – that I know.”

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Staff helping at community centres

The statement continued:

Our school plays an integral role within the local community and our teachers and support staff are today visiting local community centres in order to offer their support to students and young people in the area who have gathered there.

“We are also working with the Borough to support people to seek shelter at the community centres listed below.

“The Council has offered to help with transport to school for those families in temporary accommodation.

“If any student needs assistance, please let us know and we will liaise with the Council directly.”

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Help for pupils sitting exams

Kensington Aldridge continued:

For our Year 12 students, who are taking their AS exams, we have arranged for these to take place at BDA also.

“We are providing help to any students who feel unable to take exams at this time.

“You will understand that sorting out these arrangements is not straightforward and we will be advising everyone as soon as we have detailed plans in place.”

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Lessons at Burlington Danes

The statement continued:

For the time being we are going to be based in neighbouring schools, principally Burlington Danes Academy (BDA). This will start on Friday 16th June, with a series of assemblies at BDA, and with lessons beginning again on Monday 19th June.”

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Kensington Aldridge Academy

Kensington Aldridge Academy, which sits in the shadow of Grenfell Tower, said it will do all it can to “help and comfort students, members of staff and local residents”.

It was closed on Wednesday (June 14) and said in a statement:

We do not anticipate being able to open on a fully operational basis at Silchester Road in the immediate future. We will share this information with all our students, their families and our staff as soon as possible.”

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Nun: 'I'll carry on praying'

Sister Ruth was one of the first volunteers to head to the scene. She said:

This morning I came straight to the church and was praying with the victims, crying saying they’ve lost their daughters, their sons, their cousins.

Most of them were ladies wearing hijabs.

Then I helped to give out food and drink and clothes.

People from all over London have come to help and given very generous donations.

I can’t get back into my flat as it’s within the cordon so I imagine I’ll be sleeping on a mattress on a church floor tonight.

But I’ll carry on praying.”

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'Innocent healthy lives 24 hours ago, up in smoke'

Stunned local resident Prof Chris Imafidon held some of the Grenfell Tower debris in his hands and said: “Innocent healthy lives 24 hours ago, up in smoke.”

Shocked local resident Chris Imafidon holding a piece of the debris
Shocked local resident Chris Imafidon holding a piece of the debris
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The council says it cannot accept any more donations at present

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Church accepting donations and cash to help victims

St Andrew’s Church, in West Kensington, is open for donations 9pm tonight (June 14) and again from tomorrow from 9am to 9pm.

Among donations being requested are:

New women’s and children’s underwear

Nappies

Wipes

iPhone chargers

Toiletries

Toothbrushes and toothpaste

Sanitary towels

Tampons

Clothing

Blankets

Money is also being accepted.

The church is at Greyhound Road, West Kensington, W14 9SA.

Parking is free after 5pm and the nearest Tube is Barons Court on District and Piccadilly lines.

The closest bus route is the no 28.

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Griffin Gallery donations

The Griffin Gallery, just a few streets away from Grenfell Tower, has been collecting donations of food, water, clothes and toiletries.

It has closed its doors for donations for the day, but they will reopen on Thursday (June 15) at 9am.

The gallery is at 21 Evesham St, London W11 4AJ.

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'You cannot just recover from this'

Speaking to getwestlondon reporter Katherine Clementine, Marcel Grant, a resident of the area for 30 years, said: “The thing is I’m just in shock. I’ve never seen anything like this.”

He continued:

The fire woke me up and I couldn’t get back to sleep, hearing the helicopter. Then I turned on the TV and saw how bad it was.

“I got ready and came straight down to the community centre. I brought some of my clothes and my wife grabbed a bag of hers too, then we went to the shop and bought water, tea, milk, those kinds of things.

“When I saw the building last night I said to myself, nobody can get out of that. I just heard people crying next to us the whole time.

“Everybody gets together at times like this. But it’s going to stay with them all the time. You cannot just recover from this.”

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Emergency accommodation update

Kensington and Chelsea Council has tweeted an update on its emergency accommodation plans.

In a series of five tweets just posted shortly after 6.30pm it says:

“We’re providing emergency accommodation for those affected by today’s fire at Grenfell Tower.

“Our immediate priority is to accommodate the residents of Grenfell Tower, families with young children, the elderly and the vulnerable

“For those unable to return to their homes in the surrounding area a rest centre has been set up at Westway Sports Centre, W10 6RP

“We’ve placed 44 households so far and housing officers will be working overnight to provide support.

“Residents who are displaced due to the fire please call 020 7361 3008.”

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Reporter describes 'unprecedented' fire

At the scene, getwestlondon reporter Qasim Peracha has described how he earlier witnessed “flames licking the side of the building, totally engulfing it.”.”

Picking up debris off the ground, he adds: “This was once someone’s house and now if you look, it is just like styrofoam.”

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More from QPR

As mentioned earlier, QPR is unable to take further donations at Loftus Road after incredible response.

Chairman Tony Fernandes moved quickly to open the club’s doors to support the local community, including victims, residents, families and friends.

As a result of the amazing support, the club have told getwestlondon that they are no longer able to accept further donations.

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Desperate family members are appealing for help

getwestlondon takes a heartbreaking look at some of the people still missing following the Grenfell Tower fire.

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Remember the emergency number

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'Thoughts with those affected'

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Witness says cladding 'went up like a matchstick'

While Grenfell still burns, attention is already being turned to the cause of the fatal fire.

Many residents have reported flames spreading across the cladding of the building, which had been refurbished last year.

Here’s what they have to say.

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Footage show flames reignite

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