London fire as it happened: 12 residents confirmed dead and more fatalities expected after day of horror

Pictures taken by Independent reporter Samuel Osborne show fire fighters at the scene and people donating water, food and clothing to nearby St Clement's church.

A man who spoke to the BBC in the early hours after being evacuated from Grenfell Tower in his boxers and dressing gown returned to the scene to see the damage done to his home.“A few weeks ago there was a fire at Trellick Tower just down the road. they contained that, why didn't that happen here?” he said.

Nearby Trellick Tower is a 31-storey block of flats in Kensal Town in Kensington and Chelsea, that was opened in 1972, two years before Grenfell Tower was completed in 1974.

Aiesha, who lives nearby has been distributing blankets, masks, water and other essentials to residents, told the broadcaster: “This is us. We don't have much, but we have each other.”

The Independent's reporter Samuel Osborne is live at the scene of the fire in west London.

Around 400 to 600 people live in the tower block, according to the BBC

The 24-storey building had recently undergone a £8.6m refurbishment project, according to the Architect's Journal. 

Owen Luder, former presdient of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA), said the fire "should not have happened".

"The key investigation will be how the fire which started in one flat (as that appears to be the case) spread so rapidly upwards without adequately warning the resident in their beds and enabling them to escape in safety," he said.

“This is a disaster – as is the case with most disasters – that should not have happened. I’ve designed multi-storey residential blocks – both private and council – and I live in a converted residential block with 168 flats when in London. This has designed-in fire precaution and means of escape measures as well as self-closing four-hour fire resistant doors.

“The fire alarm system, that should be throughout at Grenfell Tower, should have given immediate warning of a fire in any individual flat. If that worked there would have been ample time for everyone to safely evacuate the building.

“That clearly did not seem to happen. Having been in a fire disaster, although on a ship, I know the first sign of smoke or a fire you get out into the open air as quickly as you can.”

He added: "It appears that the 1970s block was very recently renovated. That appears to have included new windows and cladding. There is always the risk, and there have been cases in the past, that the design of the replacement windows and the cladding did not provide the necessary fire checks to prevent fire spreading externally from one flat to the one above. 

"However the nature of this fire from what I have seen on TV that does not appear to be the case. Although I wouldn’t rule it out."

David Lammy, Labour MP for Tottenham, has said his "dear friend" Khadija Saye, who lives in Grenfell Tower, is missing.

In a Twitter post, he said Ms Saye was a "mentee and employee" of his wife Nicola Green, adding: "If you have any information about Khadija Saye please contact me. She is our dear friend, a beautiful soul and emerging artist."

At least six people have died in the Grenfell Tower blaze, with this figure likely to rise, police have said.

“I can confirm six fatalities at this time but this figure is likely to rise during what will be a complex recovery operation over a number of days. Many others are receiving medical care," said Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy.

Full version of the Met's latest statement

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

"I can confirm six fatalities at this time but this figure is likely to rise during what will be a complex recovery operation over a number of days. Many others are receiving medical care.

"If you do have any concerns for anybody connected to this awful event, please call the Casualty Bureau on 0800 0961 233. If you do not get through immediately, please try again. If you have any concerns, please use that number rather than dialling 999 or 101.

"If you are a resident who has been evacuated from the area and can't now get home the current reception centre being coordinated by the local authority is at the Portobello Rugby club at Walmer Road.

"We urge anyone who lived in the block to make themselves known at that centre so that we know they are safe. If you are unable to get to the centre please speak to a police officer. This is really important as we account for all those in the building.

"Equally if you have reported someone missing and they are now safe and well it is really important that you contact Casualty Bureau so that we can keep an accurate record of who is missing and who is safe.

"We kindly ask that the public stay away from the area. I thank the public for their patience and their cooperation today which has already greatly assisted our policing response.

"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."