Emergency teams withdraw after building moves

Movements in the shell of Grenfell Tower forced emergency teams to temporarily withdraw, amid confused scenes during an unrelated evacuation of a building nearby.

Authorities sounded air horns to alert crews picking their way through the block’s skeleton that it had shifted more than 5mm on Wednesday afternoon, the Grenfell Response Team (GRT) said.

While the public were said to be at “no risk”, a decision was taken to evacuate part of the neighbouring “finger” blocks so fire escapes could be examined.

The “miscommunication” reportedly caused some neighbours outside blocks on Hurstway Walk and Testerton Walk to become “upset”.

GRT promised not to use the air horn in future.

Sensors are in place to measure the building shifting, as agreed with the Health and Safety Executive, GRT added.

A spokesman said: “There is now an on-site alarm system attached to the core of the building which alerts people within the tower should the 5mm threshold of movement be breached.

“Prior to the core alarm being installed, an air horn was used for withdrawal.

“We appreciate the concern this may have caused and following a review of procedures today, the air horn will not be used again.”

Retail units in a building adjacent to the high-rise were evacuated due to “safety issues” on Wednesday afternoon, according to police

Officers at the scene told residents it was a “false alarm”, there had been a “miscommunication” and they could go back in.