<P> The Grenfell Tower fire occurred on 14 June 2017 at the 24 - storey Grenfell Tower block of public housing flats in North Kensington, Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, West London . It caused an estimated 80 deaths and over 70 injuries but a definitive death toll is not expected before 2018 . As of 27 September 2017, 68 victims had been identified by the Metropolitan Police and Coroner . Occupants for 23 of 129 flats died but around 255 people survived . Inquests for 60 known victims were opened and adjourned at Westminster Coroner's Court . </P> <P> The Grenfell Tower Inquiry held its first hearing on 14 September 2017 and evidential hearings will start in October . Police and fire services believe the fire started accidentally in a fridge - freezer on the fourth floor . The rapid growth of the fire is thought to have been accelerated by the building's exterior cladding, which is of a common type in widespread use . An independent review of building regulations and fire safety is in progress . </P> <P> Emergency services received the first report of the fire at 00: 54 local time . It burned for about 60 hours until finally extinguished . More than 250 firefighters and 70 fire engines from stations all over London were involved in efforts to control the fire . Over 100 London Ambulance Service crew on at least 20 ambulances attended, joined by the specialist Hazardous Area Response Team . London's Air Ambulance sent teams of HEMS doctors and paramedics by road in support . </P> <P> Firefighters rescued 65 people . Seventy - four people were confirmed by the NHS to be in six hospitals across London with 20 of them in critical care . </P>

Who was in government when grenfell tower was built