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Home / World

London Grenfell Tower fire: Firefighters see blaze for first time

By Alexander Robertson
Daily Mail·
19 Jun, 2017 11:47 PM2 mins to read

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As the sirens blare out in the background, the brave firefighters can heard describing the fire, with one stating: "It's a Towering Inferno."

As the sirens blare out in the background, the brave firefighters can heard describing the fire, with one stating: "It's a Towering Inferno."

Harrowing footage filmed by firefighters as they race to the scene of the Grenfell Tower inferno captures the moment they realise the entire block is alight.

During the video, seemingly taken on a smartphone from inside the cab of a fire engine, firefighters can be heard expressing their shock at the size of the blaze, according to the Daily Mail.

As the sirens blare out in the background, the brave firefighters can heard describing the fire, with one stating: "It's a Towering Inferno."

A firefighter puts his hand to his face looks as he at the floral tributes before a minute's silence near to Grenfell Tower. Photo / AP
A firefighter puts his hand to his face looks as he at the floral tributes before a minute's silence near to Grenfell Tower. Photo / AP

While the group discusses how the fire has jumped up through all the flats, one asks "how are we going to get in that?"

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Some of those inside the truck cannot contain their disbelief, repeatedly uttering "Jesus Christ" and "oh my God".

"That's a block full of people," one firefighter yells.

"How the **** are we going to get in that," another asks.

It comes after it was revealed how firefighters successfully tackled the fridge fire and began to leave - only realising how quickly it had spread when they stepped outside.

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Units were called to what they believed to be a standard fridge fire at the doomed high-rise, and within minutes told residents the fire in the flat was out.

The crew was leaving the building when firefighters outside spotted flames rising up the side of the building, BBC Panorama has uncovered.

Emergency services workers arrive to respect a minute's silence in front of Grenfell Tower in London. Photo / AP
Emergency services workers arrive to respect a minute's silence in front of Grenfell Tower in London. Photo / AP

The Fire Brigades Union says firefighters were left facing an unprecedented fire, and officers broke their own safety protocol to rescue people.

This morning, rescue teams were supported by local residents during an emotional minute's silence to remember the victims of the horrific blaze.

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The London crews who fought to tackle the fire last week, and have since been carrying out the dreadful task of piecing through the ravaged tower block, stood in silence in the shadow of the building at 11am (local time).

Some were moved to tears and others embraced after the official death toll of the disaster rose to 79, with five victims having now been formally identified.

Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy said the death toll may still change, but not as significantly as it has in recent days.

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