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London fire: Theresa May faces criticism as death toll rises to 17

Author
AP,
Publish Date
Fri, 16 Jun 2017, 9:51AM
British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks to Dany Cotton, Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, with members of the fire service as she visits Grenfell Tower in London (Photo / Getty Images)
British Prime Minister Theresa May speaks to Dany Cotton, Commissioner of the London Fire Brigade, with members of the fire service as she visits Grenfell Tower in London (Photo / Getty Images)

London fire: Theresa May faces criticism as death toll rises to 17

Author
AP,
Publish Date
Fri, 16 Jun 2017, 9:51AM

British Prime Minister Theresa May has faced criticism from a senior MP for failing to meet survivors of the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy when she visited the scene of the blaze.

At least 17 people are dead after Grenfell Towers in west London was engulfed in flames early on Wednesday morning.

PHOTOS: Deadly blaze rips through London apartment building

Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy said some victims may remain unidentified and warned the process will likely take "a considerable period of time".

The condition of bodies - left inside the burning 24-storey tower block for more than 24 hours before the blaze was extinguished - will also present added challenges as relatives wait for news on their loved ones.

"Identification may take some weeks or even months in some cases because of the state of some of the remains and families need to be updated as to progress on a regular basis and supported at all times," Professor Vanezis said.

"Furthermore it will probably be some time before all victims are located due to the sheer difficulty of fire fighters working in a building which is unsafe and will require a meticulous search of the debris.

"Most deaths in enclosed house fire are unconscious or dead from inhalation of carbon monoxide and other fire fumes before burning of the body occurs."

One of the first victims has been named as 23-year-old Syrian refugee Mohammed Alhajali.

Theresa May met police and firefighters dealing with the aftermath of the disaster during a private visit to the west London site, but - unlike Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and London Mayor Sadiq Khan - she was not seen to speak to families and residents.

Downing Street aides said the purpose of May's visit was to get a briefing from emergency services and ensure they had the resources they needed.

She later appeared on TV to announce a public inquiry into the fire and promise that those left homeless will be rehoused nearby.

But Labour's former deputy leader Harriet Harman said it was "not OK" for the prime minister to go to the area but not meet residents.

In a message on Twitter, Harman said: "Theresa May should have met Grenfell Fire residents. She should have been prepared to listen to them Not OK to speak at them via TV."

In a TV interview following her visit, May was told that some residents wished she had spoken to them as well as firefighters and had gone to see the community centres where local people are offering support to those affected.

She responded: "Well, I visited the scene of this terrible fire this morning. I wanted a briefing from the emergency services.

"They've been working tirelessly in horrific conditions and I have been overwhelmed by their professionalism and their bravery."

May praised the way the local community had rallied round to support the residents of the block.

"At times like this the response of the community has been extraordinary. It has shown the great spirit of the people in response to a tragedy such as this," she said.

"The government stands ready to provide every assistance to the emergency services and the local authorities.

"I want to reassure the residents of Grenfell Tower - all of whom are in our thoughts and prayers - that the government will make every effort to make sure that they are rehoused in London and as close as possible to home."

Corbyn was photographed with his arm around the shoulders of some of those affected by the blaze as he spoke to local people.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn comforts a resident at St Clement's Church in west London (Getty Images)

He later issued a statement saying: "I feel very angry that it was possible for the fire to spread in the way it did. I feel very angry that so many lives have been lost when the system didn't work.

"The many residents I met today are very angry too; their concerns about the building were not responded to and their questions were not answered.

"They asked me to speak for them when I get back to Parliament and I will make sure I do, alongside their new MP Emma Dent Coad.

"There are thousands of tower blocks around our country. Every single person living in one today will be frightened. They need answers to provide them with security and peace of mind."

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