PM orders inquiry as firefighters search for bodies in London tower

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday ordered a public inquiry into the devastating London tower block fire which left at least 17 people dead as firefighters searched for bodies with dozens still reported missing, reports AFP.
"We owe that to the families, to the people who have lost loved ones and the homes in which they lived," said May, as firefighters said parts of the council-owned building in west London had become structurally unsafe.
The prime minister said the inquiry, an official review of action by public institutions, was needed to ensure "this terrible tragedy is properly investigated".
Seventeen people have been confirmed dead and the number is expected to rise, with Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton telling Sky News there were still "unknown numbers" of people inside.
"Tragically now we are not expecting to find anyone else alive," she said.
The 24-storey Grenfell Tower was home to around 600 people when the fire ripped through the building before dawn on Wednesday.
Whole families remain missing after the fire which forced residents to flee through black smoke down the single stairwell, jump out of windows or even drop their children to safety.
Around 35 appeals to find missing loved ones have been made in the press and on social media so far.
Questions are growing about how the flames spread so quickly, engulfing the tower's 120 apartments in what fire chiefs said was an unprecedented blaze.

PM orders inquiry as firefighters search for bodies in London tower

LONDON: British Prime Minister Theresa May on Thursday ordered a public inquiry into the devastating London tower block fire which left at least 17 people dead as firefighters searched for bodies with dozens still reported missing, reports AFP. We owe that to the families, to the people who have lost loved ones and the homes in which they lived, said May, as firefighters said parts of the council-owned building in west London had become structurally unsafe. The prime minister said the inquiry, an official review of action by public institutions, was needed to ensure this terrible tragedy is properly investigated. Seventeen people have been confirmed dead and the number is expected to rise, with Fire Commissioner Dany Cotton telling Sky News there were still unknown numbers of people inside. Tragically now we are not expecting to find anyone else alive, she said. The 24-storey Grenfell Tower was home to around 600 people when the fire ripped through the building before dawn on Wednesday. Whole families remain missing after the fire which forced residents to flee through black smoke down the single stairwell, jump out of windows or even drop their children to safety. Around 35 appeals to find missing loved ones have been made in the press and on social media so far. Questions are growing about how the flames spread so quickly, engulfing the towers 120 apartments in what fire chiefs said was an unprecedented blaze.