SAFETY at 13 tower blocks will be reviewed after at least 12 people were killed and many more left seriously injured in a devastating blaze at a 24-storey West London building.

Flames tore up Grenfell Tower, in North Kensington in the early hours of yesterday - leaving people trapped on the upper floors. Some threw babies from windows and others jumped from their flats.

Both Basildon and Southend Councils have offered reassurance to residents living in tower blocks across South Essex.

John Lamb, leader of Southend Council, has ordered urgent inspections of all tower blocks owned by the authority - as well as busy buildings such as the Cliffs Pavilion.

He said: “We have all seen the harrowing pictures coming from West London, and our thoughts are very much with all of those affected by this terrible incident.

“At this stage this is a very fast moving situation being dealt with by the relevant authorities, and it would be wholly inappropriate for the council or South Essex Homes to speculate about the causes.”

Mr Lamb added: “The safety of our tenants is paramount, as is meeting all relevant national fire safety regulations. Whilst this is something that we hold in constant review, in light of this tragic incident I have asked officers to undertake a review and inspection of our thirteen council owned tower blocks to ensure resident safety.

“I have also asked that a review of buildings where large numbers gather such as the Cliffs Pavilion also takes place to ensure the safety of our residents and visitors to the borough.

“Once we know more about this tragic incident and investigations have concluded, clearly the council and South Essex Homes will also review any recommendations with our emergency service partners such as Essex Fire Rescue, who lead on fire safety measures and the issuing of fire safety advice.”

Mike Smith, secretary of the Queensway Residents’ Association, which has residents living in a number of tower blocks, told how ongoing safety improvements have helped to calm concerned tenants.

He said: “People have been talking to each other about it on social media. They are shocked about it. I live in Malvern, which has been refurbished internally and the council is doing Chiltern. They are fitting new fire doors in each flat.

“They’re also compartmentalising the flats where they put a screen up that protects the stairway so smoke can’t get into the stairwell and they have replaced plastic ducting for things like telephone cables with steel ducting. It’s in line with what the fire brigade recommended. It’s all been done to make us safer.”

In Basildon, nearly £200,000 has been invested into improving safety at grade II listed Brooke House, in the town centre.

Kerry Smith, chairman of Basildon Council’s housing and communities committee, said: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this terrible incident in Kensington.

“I would like to reassure residents living at Brooke House that we comply with all relevant fire safety regulations and keep fire safety continually under review.

“We have been working closely with Essex County Fire and Rescue Service over the last few years and have invested £150,000 in a new sprinkler system.

“A further £42,000 has also been invested in improvement works to the refuse facilities, which has reduced the risk of fire and improved health and safety.”

At the time the Echo went to print, NHS England said 74 people were being treated in six hospitals across the capital. Twenty are in critical care. The cause of the fire has not been confirmed.