Toll in worst blaze in British capital in a generation is now 17

British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday promised a public inquiry into a fire that gutted a 24-storey apartment block killing at least 17 people, as the government faced questions about how such a devastating blaze could have occurred.

Smoke was still wafting out of the blackened shell of the Grenfell Tower on Thursday where specialist search teams faced hazardous conditions as they scoured the wreck, with external cladding still falling from the building.

Many still critical

Fire engulfed the social housing block, where as many as 600 people lived in more than 120 apartments, in the early hours of Wednesday, turning it into a flaming torch in minutes. “Sadly I can confirm that the number of people that have died is now 17,” London Police commander Stuart Cundy told reporters.

Also Read Grenfell tragedy takes a political turn

He said that number was expected to rise and firefighters have said they did not expect to find any more survivors after rescuing 65. Thirty-seven people remained in hospital, with 17 of them in critical care.

“Our absolute priority for all of us is identifying and locating those people who are still missing,” Mr. Cundy said before declining to comment on speculation about the likely final death toll.

Also Read London fire: Baby dropped from 10th floor caught on ground

An investigation into the cause of the blaze, the worst in the British capital in a generation, was under way. But the shock at its scale turned to anger and recriminations on Thursday.

“We have to get to the bottom of this. The truth has got to come out, and it will,” Opposition Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said as he visited volunteers at the site.