U.K. Prime Minister Theresa May wants answers in regards to Wednesday's devastating fire in a high-rise apartment building in West London.
"I am today ordering a full public inquiry into this disaster. We need to know what happened. ... We owe that to the families, to the people who have lost loved ones, friends and the homes in which they lived," May said in a statement.
Hundreds of people were believed to be inside Grenfell Tower when the fire began. Emergency responders were dispatched to the 24-story building to battle the blaze.
Police have confirmed at least 30 people are dead and dozens more are injured. Officials expect the death toll to rise as firefighters continue to search the remains of Grenfell Tower.
"The recovery of victims from inside the building is enormously challenging, but it is our absolute priority above everything else to recover and identify the victims and let the families know," Metropolitan Police Commander Stuart Cundy said. "It is important to be frank — fires are still breaking out and conditions are very difficult and hazardous for the emergency services in the upper levels of the building."
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As of Friday morning, authorities have not determined the cause of the fire.
But the tower reportedly had no central sprinkler system or fireproof doors and was built with materials that are often flammable — all of which could have led to the fire spreading more quickly.
May also said efforts are being made to provide new housing in London for people displaced by the fire.
