In pics: Fire tears through London’s Glenfell Tower, rescue efforts underway

27-storey tower in London engulfed in massive fire, emergency services continue evacuations, as people still believed trapped.

At least six people were killed Wednesday when a massive fire tore through a London apartment block in the middle of the night, with witnesses reporting terrified people had leapt from the 24-storey tower.

Flames and smoke billow as firefighters deal with a serious fire in a tower block at Latimer Road in West London, Britain on June 14, 2017. (Toby Melville/REUTERS)

With the building ablaze 5 hours on, London Ambulance services have declared the fire a major incident confirming 30 people have been taken to 5 hospitals for treatment. (Toby Melville/REUTERS)

Parents wrapped wet towels around their children as they desperately tried to escape from the Grenfell Tower, with at least one person seen waving a piece of white cloth from an upper floor as flames ravaged the building.

Smoke billows from a high-rise apartment building in west London Wednesday. (AP Photo)

“I can confirm six fatalities at this time but this figure is likely to rise during what will be a complex recovery operation over a number of days,” said police commander Stuart Cundy, describing the fire as “truly shocking”.

London’s Metropolitan police tweeted that “A number of people being treated for a range of injuries”. 40 fire engines and about 200 firefighters have been called to tackle the fire in Grenfell Tower with eyewitnesses saying that residents trapped in the building have been shining lights to call out for attention.

The fire at the tower block erupted from the second floor at around 1:00 a.m GMT and rose up to the 27th floor. (Toby Melville/REUTERS)

Local authorities have stated that an evacuation process is underway in and around the building due to falling debris. (Toby Melville/REUTERS)

A woman reacts outside a temporary casualty bureau for people affected by the fire at Grenfell Tower. (AFP Photo)

Firefighters have been seen entering the building with breathing apparatus and residents raising claims about a lack of central alarm systems to news sources. London Ambulance services have said 30 patients were taken to five hospitals. The damage to the building has raised concerns it may collapse.

Smoke and flames billows from Grenfell Tower as firefighters attempt to control a blaze at a residential block of flats. (AFP Photo)

The burnt facade of the Grenfell Tower block is seen as firefighters tackle a serious fire at Latimer Road in West London. (Neil Hall/REUTERS)

A police officer helps to evacuate a local resident from close to the scene of a serious fire in a tower block at Latimer Road in West London, Britain. (Neil Hall/REUTERS)