Grenfell cop: I had to push people away

INFERNO Burning tower THE first senior police officer at the Grenfell Tower fire has said he feared people outside the blazing building would be killed by burning debris.

Inspector Nicholas Thatcher said it took him “half a second” to declare it a major incident.

He had to push people away from the blazing block, and told the public inquiry: “I fully expected the building to collapse.”

Insp Thatcher said he feared there would be riots as police tried to control emotional family and friends of those trapped inside the inferno.

He also thought he heard a “strong wind”, but added: “I realised it was not the wind but screams from all around.”

The hearing continues in Central London.