London fire search

Article by TYRONE ROACH in London

BARBADOS HIGH COMMISSION officials are trying to find out if any Barbadians were victims of the deadly fire that engulfed a tower block in west London early yesterday morning.

At least 12 people died and more than 74 were being treated in six hospitals across London, with over 20 in critical condition, after the huge fire engulfed Grenfell Tower, Lancaster West Estate, Latimer Road, North Kensington.

It was reported at six minutes before 1 a.m., with 45 fire engines and around 200 firefighters eventually responding. The 24-storey block contained 120 apartments and was home to between 400 and 600 people.

Barbados’ High Commissioner in London, Guy Hewitt, said in a statement: “Barbados High Commission offers its condolences to the West Indian and wider London community following the major fire at Grenfell Tower at Latimer Road. As this 1974-built, high-rise contained many migrant communities, we are trying to confirm whether any Barbadians were among the victims of the fire.” (TR)

Please read the full story in today’s Daily Nation, or in the eNATION edition.