Cladding 'contributed to the most rapid of the external fire spread'

The Grenfell public inquiry marks the beginning of a 'long road to justice', survivors and bereaved families have said as the first day of evidence begins.

Fresh details about how the fire took hold with such deadly effect have emerged as the first evidence-based phase of the inquiry into the disaster gets underway.

Expert reports detailing the cause of the inferno and why it spread so quickly were published as the inquiry hears an opening statement from its top lawyer.

Five reports were made available in the morning, also examining the effectiveness of the fire protection measures within the building.

It follows a harrowing first week that have seen devastated survivors tell of their pain after losing loved ones to the blaze last June.

Grenfell was only the third fire since 1973 to require 40 engines
The hearing is told that by 2am, 40 fire engines were dispatched to the scene.

It was the first time that this had happened in the UK since 2012, with the previous occurrence coming in 1973. 

Proceedings are back underway
Mr Millett opens the inquiry by once again setting out the timeline of the fire.

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