London fire: Community gathers to reflect and offer support

A boy holds a candle at a vigil in Notting Hill.
A boy holds a candle at a vigil in Notting Hill. Photo credit: Getty

Heartbroken families and residents of North Kensington have gathered to mourn the dead after a huge fire decimated an apartment block home to 600 people, killing at least 12.

The Metropolitan Police say the number of fatalities is likely to rise.

Many people wiped tears from their eyes as candles were lit at a vigil at Notting Hill Methodist Church.

A girl lights at candle at the Notting Hill vigil.
A girl lights at candle at the Notting Hill vigil. Photo credit: Getty

"There are times when all the words we can say are not adequate and sometimes words fail us because no words can do justice to how we feel or what we have seen or what has happened.

"Today is one of those days," Reverend Mike Long said to the community who stood together in contemplation.

People from all over London have gathered to help out those affected by the fire.

"It's amazing to see everyone supporting one another," a woman named Janita told the BBC.

Volunteers hand out water after the Grenfell fire.
Volunteers hand out water after the Grenfell fire. Photo credit: Getty

Donations of clothes, bedding and towels have flooded in for those who lost everything in the fire. Other volunteers handed out food and bottles of water.

Ambulance services hospitalised 68 people after they were called to the site just before 1am on Wednesday. Ten more people made their own way to hospitals.

Newshub.