Grenfell Tower fire: What we know so far as 'number of fatalities' confirmed in London building blaze

FIREFIGHTERS are tackling a huge blaze which has engulfed a block of flats in west London.

Here is what we know so far:

London Fire Brigade has confirmed a “number of fatalities” following a blaze at Grenfell Tower in north Kensington.

The number of fatalities is not currently known owing to the “size and complexity” of the building.

#GrenfellTower latest:

– 'Number of fatalities', fire service says
– 200+ firefighters at scene
– 50+ taken to hospital
– Cause unknown pic.twitter.com/2GB4K3Zdzk

— Press Association (@PA) June 14, 2017

Crews were first called to the scene in Latimer Road at 12.54am on Wednesday morning.

The building is at least 24 storeys high.

Forty appliances containing more than 200 firefighters attended the scene.

40 fire engines & 200 firefighters have been called to the Lancaster West Estate tower block fire #NorthKensington https://t.co/SmtWbgGpSg pic.twitter.com/H4qgGmh52Y

— London Fire Brigade (@LondonFire) June 14, 2017

More than 20 ambulance crews were sent to the scene, London Ambulance Service said.

Thirty people have been taken to five hospitals, LAS said.

Fire crews from north Kensington, Kensington, Hammersmith and Paddington and surrounding stations were at the scene with the blaze burning from the second to the top floor.

The cause of the fire is not yet clear.

Thirty adjacent flats have been evacuated by police.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the fire has been declared a “major incident”.

Grenfell Tower was built in 1974 and contains 120 homes, according to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.

The building was upgraded at a cost of £8.6million with work finishing in May 2016.

A casualty bureau has been set up for anyone concerned about friends and family on 0800 0961 233.