16:42

The Harrow Club youth centre on Freston Road has been open since 3am to help people displaced by the fire

Les Roberts, chair of the trustees, said it was acting as a depot for donations and its sister organisation, the Portobello Club, was accommodating the homeless or people unable to reach their homes. Room after room is filled with food, nappies and baby equipment, clothing, shoes, bedding, toys and toiletries brought by individuals, community groups and local businesses. One room is entirely filled with bottled water. Roberts said:

It’s mind boggling. The whole community has simply come out to help. People are bringing things, and then staying to help sort them. People in Grenfell Tower have simply lost everything, and they are unlikely to be insured.

By late afternoon, the Harrow Club was one of the few community centres in the area still accepting donations as others simply ran out of space. The club expects to accommodate displaced people overnight in its its upstairs sports hall.

Roberts said:

This area is a little nodule trapped in the midst of some quite affluent areas. It’s one of the most deprived parts of west London, and that’s especially true of the people who live in the tower blocks.

The rescue effort had become more organised as the day had gone on, he said. “Considering the scale of what’s happened, the police and the local authority seem to be on top of it.” But, he said, “it’s a real disaster. I’m afraid it’s going to be much, much worse than anyone imagines.”