London 18 Jun (ANA) - Government staff have been drafted in to bolster the official response to the Grenfell Tower disaster in west London. The move follows widespread criticism of the local council's performance. Residents condemned the relief effort as "absolute chaos" and complained that Kensington and Chelsea Council had provided little support or information. Councils across London are now involved in the operation, with humanitarian assistance being provided by the west London borough of Ealing. Kensington and Chelsea Council said it would cooperate "in full" with the government's inquiry into the fire, in which at least 58 people are believed to have died. Many have been left homeless by the massive fire that engulfed the 24-storey block of flats on Wednesday. Police fear the number of the dead could increase. The BBC understands the death toll could rise to about 70 people in total. As part of the new move by the government, a team of civil servants has been embedded into the council office. Other measures outlined by the prime minister following a meeting with residents on Saturday, included more staff covering phone lines and ground staff wearing high-visibility clothing so they could be easily found. documents relating to the refurbishment and management of the Grenfell Tower fire are protected. After speaking to residents, he said: "Suspicion of a cover-up is rising. "We need to make sure that the emails, minutes of meetings, correspondence with contractors, safety assessments, specifications and reports are not destroyed," he added. Theresa May has also come in for a barrage of criticism over her own response to the disaster. On Friday, she was jeered on a visit to the North Kensington estate, and protesters marching on Friday and Saturday called for her resignation. First Secretary of State Damian Green defended the prime minister, saying she was as "distraught as we all are".(ANA)

FA/ANA/18 June 2017