UK Sikhs Continue Relief Efforts for #LondonFire Victims at Grenfell Tower

LONDON, UK—Sikh volunteers, charities, businesses and Gurdwaras spent yesterday assisting the victims and families of the tragic fire at Grenfell Tower in Kensington. Volunteers from Sikh Welfare & Awareness Team (SWAT), Khalsa Aid, Midlands Langar Seva Society, United Sikhs, Punjab Restaurant Slough and Central Gurdwara Shepherds Bush and others took part in the relief efforts providing food, drink, clothing and utilities during the course of day. 

SWAT are at the location of #LondonFire providing aid to those stranded. To help with donations pls get in touch #glenfelltower #Waheguru pic.twitter.com/NSlWBjRRNl

— NishkamSWAT (@SwatLondon) June 14, 2017

SWAT is seeking assistance to continue its relief efforts.

Parents, please donate non-perishable food and toiletries to school @SwatLondon will collect them to help victims of the #GlenfellTower https://t.co/QzkXd4VHq0

— Khalsa School (@KhalsaSchool1) June 15, 2017

It is believed the fire started on the fourth floor and spread quickly.  Forty fire engines and more than 200 firefighters went to tackle the blaze.

The fire affected all floors of the building, from the second floor up. Firefighters worked with the gas authority to isolate a ruptured gas main in the block.

Once it was completed, they were able to extinguish the fire with the help of a 40 metre aerial appliance.

Seventeen people have died, according to police, with the number expected to rise.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said fire crews only managed to reach the 12th floor at the height of the fire.

The flats were home to between 400 and 600 people, community leaders said.

Smoke continued to rise from the shell of the tower on Thursday morning, more than a day after fire engulfed the building in the early hours and turned it into an inferno.

Firefighters rescued 65 people from the building. 

More than £1 million has been raised to help those affected by the fire, while volunteers and charities helped feed and shelter people who could not return to their homes overnight.

A wall of condolence was put up near the scene, with photographs showing dozens of messages left for loved ones.