Police man a security cordon as a huge fire engulfs the Grenfell Tower early June 14, 2017 in west London. (Getty)
A devastating fire ripped through Grenfell Tower in London, sending at least 30 to the hospital and leaving fears that more are unaccounted for, according to authorities. These are photos taken before and after the horrific blaze, which emergency responders are still getting tackling at the time this story was published.
The 24-story tower was completely ablaze, and officials feared the tower might collapse from the fire, BBC reported. Residents were caught inside the tower, many following emergency plans that said they should stay in their rooms if there was a fire. (See videos of the fire in Heavy’s story here.)
Grenfell Tower Photos Before the Fire
Here is what the tower looked like before the fire:
Grenfell tower Before and After
Massive Fire: Granfell house, Lancaster estate, west london, tower block fire
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The Fire Was ‘Just a Complete Nightmare, Absolute Nightmare’
Witnesses said that they saw people trapped in their homes, and residents flashing lights — possibly mobile phones or torches — from their windows. The entire scene has been absolutely heartbreaking.
A fire still burns and smoke rises from the building after a huge fire engulfed the 24 story Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road, West London in the early hours of this morning on June 14, 2017 in London, England. (Getty)
Paul Littlejohn, who lives opposite the tower, told BBC that when he woke up just past 1 a.m., he could see a “towering inferno” with fire coming out of every window, and windows exploding. He said he saw people making ropes out of bedsheets in an an attempt to escape.
“Just complete nightmare, absolute nightmare,” he said.
A huge fire engulfs the Grenfell Tower early June 14, 2017 in west London. (Getty)
The fire moved quickly, witnesses said. Zeinab, who lived in the building, told BBC there weren’t any fire exits except one staircase, where the fire was spreading. She got out, but her sister-in-law and father-in-law were unaccounted for, she said. She said residents were especially worried about a new cover that had been put on the building and whether it was safe.
As the Day Dawned, the Devastation Could be Seen More Clearly
As workers struggled to control the blaze and the hours wore on, the tower was engulfed in smoke. Here, you can see the extensive damage near the top of the tower:
Smoke rises after a huge fire engulfed the 24 story Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road, West London in the early hours of this morning on June 14, 2017 in London, England. (Getty)
As the sun rose in London, the devastation from the fire was more clearly seen:
Smoke rises from the building after a huge fire engulfed the 24 story Grenfell Tower in Latimer Road, West London in the early hours of this morning on June 14, 2017 in London, England. (Getty)
Over 40 #firetenders, 200 #firefighters trying to douse fire, #GrenfellTowerFire & adjoining buildings evacuated #londonfire #london #news
Incendie impressionnant à Londres dans la #GrenfellTower, 27 étages qui partent en fumée #londonfire
My prayers are those affected in #LondonFire. Shocking news to start a day with #prayingforlondon
