London mayor says Grenfell Tower fire caused by 'years of neglect'

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The Grenfell Tower fire that killed at least 58 people was caused by longstanding "mistakes and neglect," the mayor of London said on Sunday as he acknowledged growing public frustration and anger.

Sadiq Khan visited a church near the burnt-out residential tower to attend a service which remembered victims of Wednesday's tragedy, when a 24-story social housing block went up in flames.

Of the 58 people missing presumed dead by police, there are at least 30 confirmed deaths. However, the number is expected to rise.

The lifts in Grenfell Tower in north Kensington seen in a picture released by the Metropolitan Police in London, Britain on June 18, 2017. /VCG Photo

The new exterior used in a renovation on the tower may have been banned under UK building regulations, two British ministers said Sunday as police continued their criminal investigation into the inferno.

Trade Minister Greg Hands said Sunday morning the government is carrying out an "urgent inspection" of the roughly 2,500 similar tower blocks across Britain to assess their safety.

Experts believe the building's new exterior cladding, which contained insulation, helped spread the flames quickly up the outside of the public housing tower early Wednesday. Some said they had never seen a building fire advance so quickly.

Grenfell Tower in North Kensington seen in a picture released by the Metropolitan Police in London, Britain on June 18, 2017. /VCG Photo

Residents accused the local government and estate managers of the property for having been “invisible in the aftermath of the tragedy”. Those who are responsible are likely to face charges of negligence.

British Prime Minister Theresa May said financial aid worth 5,500 pounds would be handed out to each household affected by the blaze.

The government acted under the pressure of a previous plan to pay only 10 pounds for each person, which ignited public anger.

(With inputs from AP and AFP)

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London police say 58 assumed dead in Grenfell tower fire