A massive fire engulfed a 24-floor high-rise apartment building in west London early Wednesday. Police said a number of people were being treated for a range of injuries, but did not provide more specifics. London Mayor Sadiq Khan tweeted that a major incident had been declared, with 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters at the scene. Flames and smoke were still shooting from the windows of the Grenfell Tower in North Kensington more than four hours after the blaze started around 1am London time. It was not clear if there were residents trapped, but people at the scene spoke of not being able to reach friends and family who had been inside. Witnesses tell the Guardian they saw at least one person fall from the building.
Nassima Boutrig, who lives opposite the building, said she was awakened by sirens and smoke so thick that it filled her home as well, the AP reports. "We saw the people screaming," she said. "A lot of people said 'Help, help, help.' The fire brigade could only help downstairs. It was fire up, up, up. They couldn't stop the fire." Nearby resident Tim Downie told the Press Association he feared the building could collapse. He said he heard sirens, helicopters, and shouting and then saw the building engulfed in flames. "It's the most terrifying thing I've ever seen. I just hope they have got everyone out," he said. "People have been bringing water, clothes, anything they've got to help, out to the cordon." (More London stories.)
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