London fire: Baby thrown from 10th floor saved 'miraculously'

A baby was dropped from Grenfell Tower in west London as a massive fire tore through the residential tower before dawn on Wednesday. The baby was caught by a man at the scene after being thrown out of the window from 9th or 10th floor of the 24-storey residential tower.

The witness identified as Samira Lamrani told Britain's Press Association she saw a woman try to save the baby by dropping it from a window "on the ninth or 10th floor."

"People were starting to appear at the windows, frantically banging and screaming. The windows were slightly ajar, a woman was gesturing that she was about to throw her baby and if somebody could catch her baby," Lamrani told AP.

"A man ran forward and managed to grab the baby," Lamrani added.

According to PTI, around 250 firefighters are still on the scene tackling the burning block and a structural engineer is on the site to ensure the building is structurally sound.

Scotland Yard has confirmed a number of fatalities and at least 50 people have been treated in hospital, according to London Ambulance.

"I can confirm there have been a number of fatalities and others receiving medical care. We will be soon making contact with next of kin," said Commander Stuart Cundy from the Metropolitan Police.

The fire is believed to have broken out on the second floor of the Grenfell tower block housing 120 flats over 20 residential levels and four community levels and had soon engulfed the entire building.