A blog advocating for residents had repeatedly warned of fire risks at the London social housing block engulfed in flames in the early hours of Wednesday morning.

More than 200 firefighters tackled the blaze at the 24-storey Grenfell Tower, their high-rise ladders and buckets of water far too short of reaching the flames as residents desperately tried to escape the inferno.

Others were trapped in their homes amid the flames and thick, choking smoke and could be heard screaming for help. At least 12 deaths have been confirmed.

In a prophetic blog post in November last year, Grenfell Action Group predicted “dangerous living conditions” could lead to a catastrophic fire and “serious loss of life”.

The cause of the blaze is not yet known, but the blog post warned “only a catastrophic event” would expose the grave danger with which residents were obliged to live.

Following the fire, the group posted: “All our warnings fell on deaf ears and we predicted that a catastrophe like this was inevitable and just a matter of time.”

The blog claimed in January last year that re-development work and etensive renovations meant there was only one exit, also noting residents were dumping rubbish. The group identified this as a health-and-safety concern that would keep residents from escaping in an emergency.

There is no suggestion at this stage of it being a factor in Wednesday’s tragedy.

The blog published a fire-risk assessment in 2013, claiming numerous extinguishers had not been tested for up to four years.

“This seems to indicate that monthly occupier inspections are not being carried out,” the assessment said. The building has since been refurbished.

The group also claimed residents were advised to stay in their flats in case of fire.

It is not known what caused the blaze. There is no suggestion the tenant management organisation is to blame.

Grenfell Action Group formed in 2010 to campaign for residents of the housing complex. The New Daily has approached the tenant management organisation for comment.

The blaze struck the council building in North Kensington about 1am (London time) and is believed to have begun on the second or third floor and spread rapidly from there.

They've managed to put some of it out now. #GrenFellTower #GrenfellTowerFire #london #fire #kensington pic.twitter.com/ePLJgTPVJ8

— ✯ Natalie ✯ (@Vampicca) June 14, 2017

Footage on social media showed the flames spread rapidly to all floors, trapping residents in their homes.

Eyewitnesses said they could see lights flashing at the top of the block of flats and residents desperately shouting for help.

Firefighters react as a huge fire engulfs the 24-storey apartment block. Photo: Getty

The apartment block contained 120 units that were home to more than 200 people. It is not known how many people were in the building at the time, although the timing suggests many would have been asleep at the time.

The block is approximately 8km from the Westminster parliament and is located beside Kensington Aldridge Academy school. It was built in 1974 as part of the Lancaster West Estate.

The tower was renovated in May last year and included a childcare centre on the ground floor.