At least 12 dead in London apartment block blaze

At least 12 people have died in the fire at a 24-storey apartment tower in west London.

A further 78 have been taken to hospital, with 18 in critical condition.

"These are very early stages and we do expect that figure to rise," a London Metropolitan Police statement reads.

"Our thoughts are with everyone involved in this truly shocking fire at Grenfell Tower," Commander Stuart Cundy from Metropolitan Police said.

"[This] is a complex recovery operation over a number of days. Many others are receiving medical care.

"There are a significant number of officers at the scene who are continuing to work with the other emergency services and agencies.

"I’d like to thank my officers and colleagues at London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service for the sterling work they are doing at this time."

The statement confirms that it is "too early to speculate" on the cause of the fire and it is likely to be "some time before we are in a position to identify the victims".

In a statement London Mayor Sadiq Khan said he was "truly devastated" by the "horrific scenes" at Grenfell Tower.

"My heart goes out to everyone affected," he said.

"I am sad to confirm that we now know there have been fatalities and more than fifty people have been taken to hospitals including Royal Free, King's, St Thomas's, St Mary's and Chelsea and Westminster to be treated for injuries.

"The fire service is dealing with a rapidly changing situation and these numbers are likely to rise.

"There will be a great many questions over the coming days as to the cause of this tragedy and I want to reassure Londoners that we will get all the answers."

Some residents have suggested the fire might have been triggered by a faulty fridge inside the apartment complex and others have said that recently added inexpensive cladding on the building's exterior could have accelerated the fire's spread.

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A spokesman for Prime Minister Theresa May said she was "deeply saddened" by the "tragic loss of life" at Grenfell Tower.

"The PM's thoughts are with all of those affected by this terrible incident and the emergency services, who are working tirelessly in very difficult circumstances," the spokesman said.

May has asked for a cross-government meeting, chaired by police and fire minister Nick Hurd, to take place on Thursday to co-ordinate the response and make sure the government is ready to help emergency services and local authorities, he added.

WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR:

• Six people confirmed dead by Metropolitan Police.

• London Fire Brigade was first called at 12.54am on Wednesday to the Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road, north Kensington.

• Forty engines with more than 200 firefighters attended the scene.

• Approximately 74 people treated for injuries, 20 in critical condition.

• There are claims that dozens of people are still missing.

• The cause of the fire is not yet known.

• London mayor Sadiq Khan has declared the fire a "major incident".

Footage on social media showed the building engulfed in fire, with flames stretching over a number of floors.

Earlier today Assistant London Fire Brigade Commissioner Dan Daly said: "Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working extremely hard in very difficult conditions to tackle this fire".

"This is a large and very serious incident and we have deployed numerous resources and specialist appliances."

The tower block is on the Lancaster West Estate, between Latimer Road Underground station and Westfield's White City shopping centre.

Actor and writer Tim Downie, who lives around 600 metres away told the Press Association he feared the block could collapse.

"It's horrendous. The whole building is engulfed in flames. It's gone. It's just a matter of time before this building collapses.

"I just hope they have got everyone out.

"People have been bringing water, clothes, anything they've got to help, out to the cordon.

"I have seen people coming out in their bedclothes - it's just very distressing."

Earlier today Fabio Bebber wrote on Twitter: "More screams for help as the fire spreads to another side of the building.

"We can see how quick the fire spreads via the external panels. It's unbearable hearing someone screaming for their lives at #grenfelltower."

George Clarke told Radio 5 Live: "I'm getting covered in ash, that's how bad it is.

"I'm 100 metres away and I'm absolutely covered in ash.

"It's so heartbreaking, I've seen someone flashing their torches at the top level and they obviously can't get out."