News, views and top stories in your inbox. Don't miss our must-read newsletter Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice Invalid Email

A man who lives close to Grenfell Tower and knew families in the building has claimed that 42 bodies - including those of children and old people - were found huddled together in one room after the block was engulfed by a devastating fire.

The concerned and clearly frustrated local resident was filmed talking about the disaster in a video published to YouTube on Sunday, four days after the horrific blaze in the 24-storey block in west London.

With the blackened shell of Grenfell Tower visible in the background, the man claims that firefighters made the harrowing discovery when they entered the building, citing a 'friend' in the brigade as his source of information.

He said: "I've got a friend who works for the fire brigade here, yeah? Yesterday on the phone he said they found about 42 bodies in one room, all hiding together. No-one knows that.

(Image: AFP)

"It's only because we know the brother, he's a fireman, that he told us this - but he can't tell you lot that.

"He can't come out because he'll probably get the sack or something. But he said they found 42 bodies in one room, bruv, in one room. From children to old people."

Police confirmed this morning that the official death toll currently stands at 79, although that number is expected to rise as the investigation continues.

It has been widely reported that identifying the true number of casualties is a lengthy process due to the intensity of the blaze, the chaos on the ground as survivors escaped and the lack of any accurate number of people in the building when the fire started.

The resident's concerns come days after pop star Lily Allen angrily accused the authorities and media of 'downplaying' the death toll in a television interview.

She claimed the number of deaths was 'close to 150', saying: "They are off-the-record numbers I have been given from policemen and from firemen."

A spokesperson for London Metropolitan Police said they could not comment on the claims that 42 bodies were found in the same room when contacted by Mirror Online, explaining: "The manner and cause of death is a matter for the coroner.

"We will continue to work very closely with the Coroner and other relevant agencies throughout the identification and investigative process.



"This process will be complex and lengthy and seek to establish all the facts and as such it is likely to take a significant amount of time. It is not possible to state how long it will take.

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

"We are also mindful of the fact that this work will be relevant to the coronial process and may be of relevance to the public inquiry, once the terms of reference are set.



"As soon as we can share relevant information in the public domain we will seek to do so."

London Ambulance Service said they could not comment on the claim as it's a matter for Met Police, who are leading the investigation.

Mirror Online has also contacted London Fire Brigade for comment.

Accusations the media are 'hiding the real death toll'

Clearly frustrated by the information being released around the fire, the man also accused the media of 'lying' about the death toll, which police confirmed had reached 79 this morning but is expected to rise.

"For you to get the proper and the real stories you must go to the people who live here," he said.

"What they're saying on the news and what you're seeing down here - two different stories. It's two different stories. You've got to go to the people that live here or have their families and loved ones that have been lost in there. They're the people who are going to tell you the truth, because the rest ain't gonna tell you the truth."

Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will start in 8 Cancel Play now

An online blog claimed last week there is a 'D Notice' in effect , asking newspapers and broadcasting not to reveal the full scale of casualties of the disaster.

This is untrue.

Why is the death toll lower than people expect?

Many have accused the media of 'playing down' the number of deaths at the tower.

There are a number of reasons that the death toll being quoted in the news isn't as high as people who live nearby are claiming.

The main one is that the police and fire services don't want to tell the public anything they don't know for certain is true.

In an age of fake news, alternative facts and unsubstantiated rumours - and with a chaotic and volatile situation on the ground - the emergency services see their role as being a reliable source of information and not to speculate on things they don't know for sure.

(Image: PA)

Nobody knows precisely how many people were in the building at the time, with estimates varying wildly between 100 and 600. Anyone giving an 'accurate' figure is, to an extent, guessing.

The situation on the ground after the fire was also chaotic and Prime Minister Theresa May has admitted it wasn't handled well. It is not clear if the number of survivors who got out was accurately registered at the time.

Finally, due to the nature and intensity of the fire, identifying victims is going to be a difficult task.