London fire: Search to 'take weeks'
What we know so far • 'No more survivors expected' • In pictures - fire and aftermath
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- Seventeen people known to have died at Grenfell Tower
- Search for remaining victims 'could take weeks'
- Nearly 80 people treated in six hospitals, 17 still in critical care
- Names emerge of some of the missing
- The cause of the fire remains unknown
- The Queen has said her 'thoughts and prayers' are with families
- Theresa May has made a private visit to the scene
- Met Police emergency casualty bureau number - 0800 0961 233
Live Reporting
By Suzanne Leigh, Rebecca Seales, Cherry Wilson and Alex Regan
All times stated are UK
A low and sombre feeling in Latimer Road
From the scene
Mario Cacciottolo
The area around Latimer Road tube, a stone's throw from Grenfell Tower, is busy, but its voices are low and sombre.
People stand huddled in groups, looking downcast. Some don't want to talk to the press. Others take photographs of the blackened hulk, a scar in the sky that dominates everyone's thoughts around here.
Maria Vigo, 44, lives in a neighbouring tower block to Grenfell Tower.
"There's real anger here," she says. "People here feel like they're not being listened to. This area's always been working class but we're being encircled by more affluent areas.
"I've been on the school run this morning and people are talking about social cleansing.
"The council need to stop building on every scrap of ground just to make money, and start listening to us, to what we need."
Bravery of firefighters praised
Firefighters who attended the Grenfell Tower blaze have been praised for their hard work and bravery on social media.
More than 200 firefighters attended the scene at the height of the blaze.
From Tower Hill tube station...
Fire still burning at Grenfell Tower
The blaze at Glenfell Tower continues to smoulder for a second day.
The London Fire Brigade said the fire continues to burn in the upper levels of the block as it is inaccessible to firefighters.
But it seems that the blaze is continuing on a lower level - seen here - where some of the cladding remains.
Minister to answer questions on Grenfell Tower
A government minister will answer questions from MPs on a review into fire regulations, after at least 17 people perished in a blaze at Grenfell Tower.
Parliament has not sat since the general election, but opposition MPs will get the opportunity to probe government ministers on why a review into fire regulations hasn't been completed.
Shadow housing minister John Healey said that the government committed to a review after an inquest into the Lakanal House fire in 2013, which killed six people in Camberwell in 2009.
Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire, he said: "Ministers were clear at the time [of the inquest] they rejected out of hand two of the recommendations, they said that they would review the building regulations.
"[The review] hasn't even started, because the minister confirmed in October they hadn't even got a plan to start it.
"It's been shelved for four years."
The Labour MP added that the government should begin fitting sprinkler systems into the most at-risk high rise blocks.
Appeals for missing relatives
Families have been appealing on social media for information on loved ones who have been missing since the fire.
Among those is 12-year-old Jessica Urbano Ramirez who is believed to have become separated from her family when the blaze broke out.
Artist Khadija Saye, 24, a 20th floor resident of Grenfell tower and her mother Mary are also missing.
Labour MP David Lammy was one of the many appealing for information about her whereabouts. His wife is her employer and mentor.
Read more on the missing
Latest on the Grenfell Tower fire
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Jeremy Corbyn arrives at Grenfell Tower
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn is visiting the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire.
London fire: What we know so far
Rescuers say they do not expect to find anyone else alive in what remains of the 24-storey tower block.
Read moreEuropean Parliament holds a minute's silence
Grenfell Tower: What you can do to help
"A number" of people die and many more are injured after a shocking fire in a London tower block.
Read moreLatest pictures
London Evening Standard: 'United in grief'
Community 'will always stand together'
Tim Stokes
BBC News
One message of condolence reads: "Bonds formed in fire are difficult to break"
Read moreLocal centres inundated with donations
Blaze resonates in Iran, China media
BBC Monitoring
News from around the globe
Images of the fire at London's Grenfell Tower dominate the front pages of Iranian newspapers today and prompt comment in China’s social media – because both countries have witnessed similarly devastating experiences.
The fire is particularly resonant for Iranians, as it recalls the 17-storey Plasco commercial tower fire in Tehran in January, which killed 20 firefighters when the building collapsed.
And for Chinese online commentators, Grenfell Tower has prompted memories of a deadly Shanghai tower block fire in 2010. Both incidents led to accusations of official cover-up and mismanagement.
"China has so many high-rises, and also many jerry-built [tofu-dreg] construction projects. We must take this as a warning!" said Yule JK, from Shenzhen, on Sina news portal.
How can you make tower blocks safe?
Search for victims 'could take weeks'
The search for victims "could take weeks" according to the London Fire Brigade commissioner.
Dany Cotton said that damage to the upper floors of Grenfell Tower mean that specialist search dogs will do an initial search there "because they are much lighter than people and can cover a greater area in a very short space of time".
Met Police Commander Stuart Cundy said: "It would be wrong and incredibly distressing to give a number [of the missing]".
The number of victims is expected to rise.
Senior detective DCI Matt Boner will lead the investigation into the fire.
BreakingDeath toll rises to 17
Police have confirmed that 17 people have been killed in the Grenfell Tower blaze.
The number is still expected to rise.
Families told to expect the worst
At St Mary's Hospital, Paddington
Tulip Mazumdar
Global Health Correspondent
At this point more people have been coming here desperately searching to see if their family members are here.
But as time goes on, it's becoming less likely that people will be coming here for treatment.
It's been a harrowing morning. Yesterday we saw families coming in. There was a man at the entrance and he was shouting, saying, "We're not getting any information, I don't know where my loved ones are."
Today we're getting similar scenes, much more difficult. A woman was wailing, she was so upset. Her screams were so chilling we asked them if they were OK.
They were looking for a mother; her name is Burkit Haftom. They were looking for her and her 12-year-old son, Biruk Haftom. They were desperately searching, going from hospital to hospital. St Mary's was their last hope.
They were told by police that if their family were not registered at any of the hospitals, then they would have to assume the worst.
I saw them when they made that realisation. They were so upset, they didn't know what to do.
They drove away not knowing what they were going to do, where they were going to go.
'There needs to be a public inquiry'
BBC Radio London
Kurt Barling, a former special correspondent at the BBC who covered the Lakanal House tragedy in 2009 when six people died, told the Robert Elms Show: "We are not paying enough attention to the kind of materials used to build and refurbish buildings. We are compromising safety.
"This is four years after a major inquest into a major fire and this is far worse. It's a national scandal and we need a national public inquiry."
Government statement expected at 13:30
'A scene of utter devastation'
The general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, Matt Wrack, is at the Grenfell Tower.
He tells BBC Radio 5 Live that the building looks unsafe, and there "seem to be bits leaning out". Structural engineers have been in to give advice on its current state, so fire chiefs can judge whether it is safe for firefighters to work in it.
He says fire crews who attended the blaze in the early hours of Wednesday will never have seen anything like it.
Firefighters are trained to tackle fires in high-rises, but would expect the fire to be contained to the room, or at least to the flat or floor of origin.
"Firefighters turning up to that incident the night before last would have been absolutely flabbergasted to see the whole building engulfed in fire as it was," he says.
Mr Wrack adds that there is "a huge amount of rubble, debris" that has fallen from the building, causing problems for fire crews trying to get in.
He describes "a scene of utter devastation on the ground around the block itself".
The head of the Fire Brigades Union says he saw the prime minister during her visit earlier this morning, and is now going to brief the Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, who is set to visit the scene shortly.
Student helps victims before A-level exam
Dozens of volunteers from the local community have rallied round to help those affected by the fire.
Rory Walsh, who lives nearby, woke in the early hours after the block in west London was destroyed by fire.
He worked throughout the night at Maxilla Social Club, helping affected families find shelter. He went back after his English exam to volunteer again.
Read the full story
'Assembly recommended fire regulation improvements'
Sian Berry, chair of the London Assembly Housing Committee, has said that her group had made recommendations for improvements to the publication of risk assessments.
Speaking to Victoria Derbyshire she said the system, which holds private landlords accountable, isn't as robust as it used to be.
Six questions for the investigation
The cause of the fire is not yet known and will be subject to an investigation.
What questions will investigators have to consider?
Read our full story
'I've never seen a fire like this in my career'
Dozens of volunteers on hand at local church
Families in hotels across west London
Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council has provided an update on efforts to provide accommodation for the victims of the blaze.
A spokesman for the council told the BBC that accommodation had so far been found for 77 households across 102 rooms in west London hotels.
MEP: We have requested a moment's silence in European Parliament
Government statement expected this afternoon
Norman Smith
Assistant political editor
It is understood that a Government minister will to make a statement in Parliament this afternoon about the Grenfell Tower tragedy.
The statement will not take place in the main Commons chamber as Parliament is not formally in session. Instead, the meeting will take place in a Commons committee room.
The Government has not yet said who will make the statement - although it is thought likely to be the policing and fire minister Nick Hurd.
Hold off on donations, says council
Kensington and Chelsea council says it has been inundated with items donated for the Grenfell fire victims and has asked people to hold off bringing any more.
In a statement on its website, it said: "The Council would like to thank all those who have made generous donations of accommodation, food, clothing and other items.
"We would ask you to please hold off for now as we have been inundated with useful items. When we need donations again we will update via our website and social media."
PM leaves Grenfell after 'private visit'
PM Theresa May, dressed in black, has left the scene at Grenfell Tower after speaking to police officers and fire crews in what was described as a "private visit".
Thirty-seven remain in hospital
NHS England says 37 people remain in hospital, 17 of whom are in critical care.
Patients are now being treated in five hospitals across London. They are:
A poignant donation
Kensington councillor condemns 'outrageous' penny-pinching
Royal Family make donation to Grenfell fire fund
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have made a donation to the Evening Standard's emergency appeal for the Dispossessed Fund.
Money raised will go to help victims of the Grenfell Tower fire.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: "The tragedy at Grenfell Tower has left a number of local people in need of urgent assistance.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry are pleased the Evening Standard's Dispossessed Fund has immediately swung into action.
"As residents of the local area they are keen to offer their immediate support."
PM Theresa May visits Grenfell Tower
Prime Minister Theresa May has arrived at the Grenfell Tower site, and is now talking to firefighters there.
Retired firefighter: When you come out, you're gasping
BBC Radio 5 live
A retired firefighter named Jason has phoned in to BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss the conditions they face, especially during large domestic fires.
He says they work in temperatures of 600 degrees, where "your kit will absorb the heat, and then suddenly like a light switch it will be too hot".
He says the fire crews are "performing like top athletes," sucking in minimal air and working their hardest.
For the team leader, the stress is considerable. This individual has to direct the rest of the crew round an unknown building filled with smoke, while calculating how far they have got into the job, and whether they have enough air to get out.
"It’s highly stressful and when you come out you’re gasping for air," he says.
Jason says that 1 in 3 firefighters suffer from PTSD, which he eventually retired with. He says his condition flared up recently after the Manchester terror attack, because like that situation, his traumatic event also involved injury to a child.
Asked why they do the job, he replied: "The best thing about the job is making a difference. When you can go in and say “I’ve trained for this, I can do this. I’ll come and get you. I can get you out the safest way possible."
Radio listeners are calling him a credit to his profession.
Labour call for inquiry
Norman Smith
Assistant political editor
Labour is calling for an inquiry into fire safety in tower blocks to be completed by the summer.
The party is also demanding the immediate implementation of improved safety rules proposed in 2013 but never implemented.
This would include the installation of sprinklers in high risk flats. It would also include a review of building regulations -to include the safety of cladding.
It would also guarantee better emergency advice and information for residents. Labour said the inquiry should be led by a cabinet minister and accountable to parliament.
Labour estimated sprinklers would cost around £1,000 a flat to install.
Yesterday Jeremy Corbyn demanded a minister answer questions in Parliament today on the tragedy.
The Commons authorities are not aware of any request for such an arrangement. The government has declined to respond publicly to Mr Corbyn's call. Mr Corbyn is expected to visit the site of the tower block later this morning.