Muslims eating before the start of their Ramadan fast saved residents when a huge fire broke out in a west London tower block, witnesses said today.
At least six people have been killed after the inferno raged through the 24-storey Grenfell Tower in Notting Hill shortly after midnight, with 20 more fighting for life.
According to residents, smoke alarms inside the building failed to go off, but Muslims eating their final meal of the day - late at night before starting fast for Ramadan - were the only ones awake and reportedly raised the alarm.
Ashin Sha told the Standard he rushed over from Leyton when he heard about the inferno because his aunt lives on the second floor of the building.
Notting Hill Grenfell Tower Fire - In pictures
The 30-year-old said: "They're on Ramadan and at that time during the week were the only ones awake.
“That's why they were able to raise the alarm."
The fire is believed to have started around the third or fourth floor.
Significant safety concerns have been raised by local residents, including claims of issues over fire alarms.
Paul Munakr, who lived on the seventh floor, told Sky News earlier that no fire alarm sounded near his flat.
He said he was only alerted to the fire by the screams of residents pleading for help and others telling them not to jump. Without them, he said he may not have escaped.
He added that he had never witnessed a fire alarm test at the block.
He said: “They only do these fire alarms in the day when the majority of people are working."
The London Fire Brigade is currently investigating the cause of the fire.
