Hundreds left homeless by Grenfell Tower fire bed down for the night in sports halls, churches and strangers' houses
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Hundreds of people left homeless by the devastating tower block fire in London will spend the night sleeping in sports halls, churches and stranger's homes.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said its "immediate priority" is to accommodate the residents of Grenfell Tower, families with young children, the elderly and the vulnerable.
A rest centre has been set up at Westway Sports centre, Crowthorne Road, to provide emergency accommodation for anyone unable to return home.
Other rest centres at St Clement Church, Treadgold Street and the Rugby Portobello Trust, Walmer Road, were earlier said to be nearing capacity.
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
Those concerned about family and friends have been asked to go to a special rest centre, opened at the Salvation Army Offices on Portobello Road.
A number of individuals have reached out via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to offer accommodation and transport help to those affected.
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
One woman, named Giselle, tweeted: "Just called [Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea] RBKC and left my details. They are looking for emergency housing. I have offered my place. Do the same if you can #Grenfell"
Instagram user co.-lams posted an image reading: "Any residents of Grenfell Tower or Lancaster West Estate who need a local place to stay DM me."
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
Donations have poured in for those affected by the fire.
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said staff were sorting through items, but said they could not accept any more donations at present.
(Photo: Getty)
The British Red Cross, whose volunteers have been supporting those affected, also said the rest centres did not currently need any more donations.
Local football clubs Queens Park Rangers (QPR) and Fulham rushed to support those left homeless by the blaze.
QPR said it had opened its doors and facilities to those affected by the fire, but also said it could not accept any more donations, while Fulham also helped with the collection drive.
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
Businesses at the nearby Notting Dale Village brought trolleys of refreshments including sandwiches and fruit to the emergency services working at the cordons around Grenfell Tower.
Manager Hayley Allen said: "We have a local community focus and wanted to help and show our support in whatever way we could."
Volunteers stood on the edge of the exclusion zone with trays of sandwiches, which were offered to police as they walked past.
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
Marco Antoniades, who owns MGA Autos on Latimer Road, near Grenfell Tower, has offered to take in "clothes, food or anything that can help" at his garage to deliver to people affected by the fire.
"I heard some of the other places for donations are full already so I'm just giving people the option to bring things here," he told the Press Association.
"Everyone is walking round in shock. I've seen a couple of friends nearly in tears in other garages round here.
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"Like in most places in England people get together and help each other in times like this and that's what we're trying to do."
Phone company EE also said people are welcome to use their stores in the local area if they need to contact anyone or use social media.
They said the stores on Kensington High Street, Notting Hill, Queensway and the two in White City are closest to the incident.
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
(Photo: Dinendra Haria/WENN)
Telecoms giant TalkTalk, whose headquarters are close to the tower block blaze, said it had thrown open its offices to affected residents in need of refuge.
The group, which is based at Evesham Street in London, is offering food and drinks as well as phone chargers and phone banks.
TalkTalk spokeswoman Isobel Bradshaw said: "The office is open to anyone affected by it or emergency services who need a break or somewhere to rest."
Retailer Monsoon, which is based next door, is also offering refreshments to those affected.
(Photo: BBC)
(Photo: ITV)
A number of crowdfunding pages have been set up for those affected by the blaze, raising a total of more than £500,000 in fewer than 24 hours.
An appeal on JustGiving launched by Karolina Hanusova had raised £240,000 by 10pm, while another set up by Hayley Yearwood has generated £312,857.
The London Evening Standard has launched an appeal on a dedicated website dispossessedfund.org.uk.
The Rugby Portobello Trust also suggested that donations be made to the Kensington and Chelsea Foundation's website: https://thekandcfoundation.com/donate/