A spokesman for the umbrella organisation for London's boroughs, London Councils, said: “Local authorities are required to ensure appropriate fire safety procedures are in place in council-run blocks, including processes for risk assessment, inspection and fire improvement works.

"At present we do not know the cause of the fire and need to wait for the outcome of the investigation before drawing conclusions.

"Clearly though, boroughs will be reviewing the position locally in light of this tragic event."

Norman Smith
Assistant political editor

It is understood the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn, is to demand a government statement in parliament tomorrow on the Grenfell Tower tragedy.

Parliament is not currently sitting.

However, Mr Corbyn is to demand a Cabinet Office minister appears before MPs tomorrow in a Commons committee room to answer questions about the tragedy.

He is also asking representatives of the emergency services and local authority and others to attend.

BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Lesley Ashmall

Danny Donaldson is a community leader at the Latymer Christian Centre, which is one of several centres where displaced residents have been sent. Members of the public are bringing blankets and food and Danny's team are trying to do what they can.

He told BBC Radio 5 live reporter Lesley Ashmall that emergency supplies were welcome, but he was getting increasingly concerned about where people would sleep tonight.

“People are bringing in water, food, blankets, but... at the end of the day, they can’t sleep in here”, he said

“We haven’t seen anyone from authority here, we need someone to come and explain what’s going to happen to people who are homeless.”

Danny said he was also extremely concerned about friends who lived in the tower block: “I know a lot of people who are missing, and we are phoning around, we can’t get anything. So we are just waiting."

The DUP has told the BBC an announcement on a deal with the Tories has been delayed because of the unfolding tragedy.

A source said they felt the London tower block fire made an announcement on Wednesday "inappropriate".

Read more.

BBC Radio 5 live

Mohamed, who lives opposite the tower, was woken by sirens around 01:00 BST. He told 5live: "We were allowed very close. The fire was on one corner.

"Even when I got there I was surprised to see there were people just looking out the window down to us. Someone told me they had been told to stay in the building until they contained that little bit."

He continuned: "That's concerning. I was there at 01:15 BST and there were a lot of people on the right hand side who were fine. Why people didn't tell them to get out of the building I don't know."

Mohammed said he watched as the fire grew and "flamed" up both sides.

"All I could hear was screams - 'help us, help us'. On the right hand side, two people jumped from the 10th or 15th floor," he said.

Mohammed's friend - on the 11th floor - called him at 04:00 BST from her bedroom, asking what she should do.

He believes his friend has been taken to hospital.

Maryam Qaiser
BBC Local Live

A Nottingham woman who once lived in the London tower block that was gutted by a huge fire overnight said the blaze "was an accident waiting to happen".

Agnes told BBC Radio Nottingham there were concerns over safety at Grenfell Tower.

Six people have been confirmed dead following the fire. Police say they expect that number to rise.

Residents have spoken of their sadness at hearing of people who have been killed in the fire.

Monica Bryant told the BBC: "There's a friend of mine's family - an auntie, children and an uncle - that have died."

Sam Proctor said she believes that a man she knows has also died.

David Shukman
Science editor, BBC News

The tower block's cladding looks set to be a major focus of the investigation that will follow this fire. Chunks of it were seen burning and falling to the ground.

Cladding can be a good solution to improve the insulation and appearance of older tower blocks, and panels are sometimes fitted to the outside. However, various incidents from around the world have seen cladding catch fire and result in considerable destruction and distress.

One question for the investigators will be: Was this cladding resistant enough to fire?

BBC World Service

Eyewitnesses describe the "harrowing" sights and sounds as the fire ripped through Grenfell Tower. A round-up from BBC Minute.

The deputy leader of Southwark Council, which was fined £270,000 earlier this year following a fatal fire at Lakanal House in 2009, has just issued this statement.

Councillor Stephanie Cryan said: “Events in west London are still unfolding and Southwark’s thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower.

"Sadly, in Southwark we know too well the terrible impact of a large fire, and following the tragedy at Lakanal in 2009, we have made huge efforts to increase safety across all our blocks.

"My priority today is to reassure local residents about the extent of those works, and the constant efforts of officers to help make our blocks as safe as they can be here in Southwark, as well as reaching out to our colleagues at Kensington & Chelsea council to offer any help that we can.”

Six people died when fire broke out at Lakanal House in Camberwell.

The fire brigade are continuing to battle the fire more than 12 hours after it broke out, at 00:54 BST on Wednesday.

Six people are so far known to have been killed and more than 125 families made homeless by the devastating blaze in Grenfell Tower, with figures expected to rise.

Image source, AFP

Image source, AFP

Image source, Reuters

Image source, EPA

BBC Radio 5 live

Zach Leeks lives a few minutes from the tower. He was woken at 06:00 BST by a friend concerned for his safety.

He told Radio 5live: "I went into the garden and there was just foam and ash and charred remains all over the garden. I just put some shoes on and went and did as much as I could.

"The people who have woken up at the same time I have, have relieved the people who were here all night.

"It's a lot to take in. It's very emotional. It was very silent down here. People were in shock. I'm still shaking here now.

"There are local builders here who are bringing supplies - water, clothing, bedding. I've never seen this place pull together so much since I've lived around here.

"It's extremely emotional. This is going to ruin a lot of people's lives."

Corinne Jones and her partner Jason Miller escaped from the 17th floor with their young sons.

She said a London Fire Brigade team came on Saturday to check the alarms and give safety advice, including staying in the flat when there is a blaze.

Watch more.

Robert Black, chief executive of Kensington & Chelsea TMO, which looks after the tower block, said: "The fire at Grenfelll Tower is devastating and the reports of injury and losses of life absolutely heartbreaking.

"Along with my colleagues, I've been supporting residents since the early hours, working with the emergency services and the community."

He said management were currently focusing on helping residents, and London Fire Brigade was investigating the safety of the tower's structure.

Jodie Martin got into the building and helped people escape. He believes the cladding around the building was what caused the dense smoke.

Westfield London, whose Westfield White City shopping centre is a 10 minute walk from the Grenfell Tower, has been in touch with the authorities to offer support.

A spokeswoman told the BBC: "We are currently coordinating donations of supplies from Westfield, retailers and other local business.

"The centre is open and we will be setting up a page on our website to keep the public informed on how they can help."