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TRAPPED residents in Grenfell Tower were seen desperately waving their bedsheets from the window as crowds below watched on in horror.

Children were among those begging to be saved as families tried to escape the engulfed 24-storey block of flats in Ladbroke Grove, West London.

Families were trapped in the building as firefighters bravely battled the blaze
Families were trapped in the building as firefighters bravely battled the blazeCredit: The Sun

They could be heard begging for help as they leaned out of their windows and lashed bed sheets together to make rope in a frantic attempt to reach the ground.

Others were seen jumping from upper floors of the building in scenes "reminiscent of 9/11".

So far six people have been confirmed dead in the Grenfell Tower inferno, but the death toll is expected to rise.

Video shows residents lowering bedsheets tied together in desperate attempt to escape the blaze at Grenfell Tower
Video shows residents lowering bedsheets tied together in desperate attempt to escape the blaze at Grenfell Tower
Fire has spread through the entire 24-storey building
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 Fire has spread through the entire 24-storey building
Fire rapidly spread through the building and rapidly gutted it
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Fire rapidly spread through the building and rapidly gutted itCredit: Greg Brennan
Thick black smoke was visible across London as the fire continued to burn after dawn
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Thick black smoke was visible across London as the fire continued to burn after dawnCredit: AP:Associated Press

Shocking video shows a man helplessly looking from his window as the fire rages on.

There are 120 homes in the flat and the leader of the local council said "several hundred" would have been in the tower block when the blaze broke out.

So far the London Ambulance service has confirmed 30 people have been taken to hospitals across the capital, but there are still "a significant number of people" unaccounted for.

Burning debris was seen falling from the mammoth building and residents were seen in tears and wheeling belongings away in suitcases and trolleys.

Members of the community have been left distraught by the news
Members of the community have been left distraught by the news
Distraught loved ones gather at hub where there is food and water for survivors
Distraught loved ones gather at hub where there is food and water for survivorsCredit: PA:Press Association
Woman cries as she desperately hunts for missing relative who hasn't been seen since the blaze
Woman cries as she desperately hunts for missing relative who hasn't been seen since the blazeCredit: Getty Images

What we know so far:

  • The Metropolitan Police have confirmed six people have died but the death toll is expected to rise after a huge fire engulfed Grenfell Tower in West London just before 1am last night.
  • The 24 storey high tower block has 120 apartments.
  • Around 74 people have been taken to six hospitals in the capital with 20 in a critical condition.
  • A resident said the fire started on the fourth floor.
  • Residents are still trapped inside the building but there is no fear of the block collapsing.
  • The area around the tower has been closed off and around 200 firefighters are at the scene.
  • Authorities say the cause of the fire is still not known.
  • Residents have been seen jumping from upper floors in scenes reminiscent of September 11.
  • Burning debris has been seen falling from the building.
  • London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has declared the blaze a “major incident”.
  • One witness told Sky they believed the fire was started by a faulty fridge.

The tower, built in 1974, recently underwent an £8.6m redevelopment, with some residents reporting most of the flaming debris falling from the structure was cladding added during that process.

Nick Paget-Brown, the leader of the Kensington and Chelsea council said: “Several hundred [people] would have been in there. It’s a question of establishing how many were in there at the time of the fire.”

London Fire Brigade Assistant 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."

Smoke hindered rescue efforts as fires continued to burn with families trapped throughout the building
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Smoke hindered rescue efforts as fires continued to burn with families trapped throughout the buildingCredit: JAMIE LORRIMAN
Police were still attempting to evacuate families three hours after the fire started
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Police were still attempting to evacuate families three hours after the fire startedCredit: JAMIE LORRIMAN
The entire building was consumed with fire, though it is unclear where the blaze started
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The entire building was consumed with fire, though it is unclear where the blaze startedCredit: JAMIE LORRIMAN
Smoke could be seen drifting across the skies of London this morning from miles away
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Smoke could be seen drifting across the skies of London this morning from miles awayCredit: London News Pictures

Where is Grenfell Tower?

THE 24-storey tower block is in an area of West London, very close to Latimer Road Station.

It can be accessed by the Circle and Hammersmith & City lines on the London Underground.

The large building is just off the A40 and behind the Kensington Aldridge Academy.

It is also close to Westfield Shopping Centre and near to the affluent area of Notting Hill.

The tower, built in 1974, recently underwent an £8.6m redevelopment.

The area is said to be home to a large North African population, including Moroccan and Somali communities.

London Fire Brigade Commissioner Dany Cotton described the situation as "unprecedented" calling it the largest scale fire she had seen in her 29 years of service.

She added: "London Ambulance Service have confirmed that 50 people have been taken to 5 hospitals. I am very sad to confirm that there have been a number of fatalities.

"I cannot confirm the number at this time due to the size and complexity of this building."

"The cause of this fire is not known at this stage. We will be here all day and will provide further updates.

"We are working very closely with our colleagues in the Metropolitan Police and the London Ambulance Service to bring this situation under control."

A has been set up in bid to raise £1million to help the families of Grenfell Tower.

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