Tragic high rise tower block fire in central London

Details are emerging of a tragic fire affecting a high rise residential tower block near the Westfield Shopping Centre in central London. It is known that there are many fatalities and injuries, with some jumping from the higher floors. Although the cause and method of fire spread is not confirmed as yet, it appears that recently installed cladding, and/or the lining between the cladding and the original structure, allowed the fire to quickly grow around the exterior of the building.

Of course, this should not happen if proper materials and methods of construction were used. It also points out that however good some elements of a fire strategy are, without every aspect being properly covered, devastation can result. Issues such as whether the building was sprinkler protected will emerge over the day.

This also puts further questions over the "stay put" strategy for most residential buildings.