To reach the upper floors because of intense heat and falling debris. This is a completely unprecedented fire. In my 29 years in the London Fire Brigade i have never seen a fire of this nature, and i have seen many high rise fires. Residents have been taking shelter in nearby community centres, some are still looking for missing relatives. She said we cant do it because the smoke is killing her, the smoke is coming. The smoke is coming through the doors, shes keep covering it but. Its everywhere. And that was the last time we heard from her. Theres no word yet on the cause of the blaze. Residents say they had raised concerns about fire safety in the block. Dozens of people are being treated in londons hospitals, 18 are said to be in a critical condition. The block had recently been refurbished. Ministers have ordered urgent checks on buildings where similar work has been carried out. Stay with bbc news throughout the evening for all the developments from our correspondents at the scene