London tower fire death toll increases to 12; number expected to rise

The death toll of a massive fire that raged through the night at a 24-story block of flats in central London on Wednesday increased to 12, authorities said. They expect that number to continue to rise, saying earlier that at least 74 more people were injured and some residents were trapped inside the towering inferno.

London Fire Brigade reported over 200 firefighters tackled the flames through the night, with 40 fire engines also sent to the north Kensington tower block.

More than 74 people were injured and taken to hospital following the blaze at Grenfell Tower, where several hundred people lived. London police said they expected the death toll from the tower block fire to rise as emergency services continued to search the building.

“Our thoughts are with everyone involved in this truly shocking fire at Grenfell Tower,” Stuart Cundy, commander of the Metropolitan police said.

British media reported that residents had become trapped in the upper floors and were desperately screaming for help as the fire spread through the building. The tower block contains around 120 homes.

British Prime Minister Theresa May faced further delays in forming her new government  after her would-be allies said their agreement would be put back following a deadly tower block blaze in London.

The Conservative leader lost her parliamentary majority in last week’s election and is now desperately seeking the backing of the 10 MPs from Northern Ireland’s ultra- conservative Democratic Unionist Party (DUP).

EU leaders have voiced growing impatience to start Brexit negotiations, which have already been delayed by the parliamentary election-and on which the clock is ticking.

An initial round of talks between May and DUP leader Arlene Foster ended with no agreement, although both sides said they were hopeful of a deal. “The talks are continuing but I think the events in London probably will have some impact on that. I think it’s unlikely there will be any announcement today,” a DUP spokesman is reported to have said.