Fire Engulfs 27-Story High-Rise In London
LONDON (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A massive fire engulfed an entire high-rise building in London early Wednesday morning local time.
A total of 40 fire engines and 200 firefighters were called for the blaze at the apartment building in the Lancaster West Estate in Kensington, West London.
The fire raged all the way up to the top floor of the 27-story Grenfell Tower, Sky News reported. At least two people were reported to be injured, Sky News reported.
London Fire Brigade assistant commissioner Dan Daly told Sky News: "Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus are working extremely hard in very difficult conditions to tackle this fire.
"This is a large and very serious incident and we have deployed numerous resources and specialist appliances," he continued in remarks to Sky News.
The London Ambulance Hazardous Area Response Team was called to the scene along with other resources, Sky News reported.
Sky News producer Dan Cairns reported that residents were if they receive calls for help from people inside, those people should be told to try to "self-evacuate." Cairns said residents were advised to put a cloth over their mouths and leave the building.
A British television presenter told the Associated Press he was covered in ash even though he was roughly 100 yards from the West London building.
People have reportedly been waving flashlights from the top level of the building to help rescuers find those still inside.
The fire was still burning as the sun rose just after 4 a.m. local time.
(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
