London: An uncertain number of people were feared dead and others trapped in a massive fire that ripped through a 27-storey apartment block in west London early this morning.

People could hear screams from the upper floors as the flames rose and one desperate resident could be seen waving a white cloth. London Ambulance Service said they have taken 30 patients to five hospitals in the city.

Police and fire services attempted to evacuate the concrete block. People at the scene attempted to call their loved ones stuck inside and were being directed by the Police to a nearby restaurant where some of the injured were being treated.

Police were also clearing out nearby buildings because of fears about falling debris. The apartment block was built in 1974.

Local residents had warned a year ago about a potential fire risk caused by rubbish being allowed to accumulate during improvement works.