Firefighters who saved lives while tackling the devastating fire at Grenfell Tower have now since been diagnosed with terminal cancer, an investigation by the Mirror has found.

An investigation by the Mirror has found that firefighters – some aged only in their 40s – are suffering from rare cancers linked to high levels of exposure to contaminants while fighting the fire.

The news organisation reports that up to a dozen have been diagnosed with cancer, most of which are understood to be digestive cancers and leukaemia.

The fire, which claimed the lives of 72 men, women and children on June 14 2017, rocked the nation.

Grenfell was one of the deadliest blazes since the Second World War and new details are emerging regularly.

Read more: Dramatic video shows High Force Waterfall after heavy rain

In June 2022, it was revealed that the specific cladding used on Grenfell Tower has been banned from use on all new buildings.

Fire safety guidance revealed that metal composite material panels with unmodified polyethylene core, known as MCM PE, will be banned on all new buildings of any height in England.

An enquiry into the disaster in July of last year found that a schizophrenic resident and an elderly man with dementia were among those who died.

Vincent Chiejina, then 60, and Joseph Daniels, then 69, died in their living rooms as flames engulfed the building in the early hours of June 14, 2017.

They were vulnerable residents who would have needed help to evacuate, the Grenfell Tower Inquiry heard.

Now firefighters and survivors of the tragedy are concerned over health problems that may surface and there are reports of calls for health screenings.

A list, provided to the Mirror, has revealed already a dozen cases of firefighters with cancer who attended Grenfell, but it could end up being more than 20.

During the blaze, it was reported that many of the firefighters ran out of air in the tower, and there were cases of some sitting in their contamination suits for more than 10 hours.

It is believed that around 1,300 firefighters are believed to have been involved, including those both inside and outside the tower and those that attended the day after.

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here

In 2019, the University of Central Lancashire conducted a study that found contamination in the soil from the disaster could lead to an increased risk of cancer and respiratory problems of those living in the area.

Analysis of the soil, debris and char revealed heightened concentrations of cancer-causing chemicals and proven carcinogens, including benzene, within 200m of the tower.

Research carried out this week by the Fire Brigades’ Union and the University of Central Lancashire also found that firefighters are twice as likely to be diagnosed with cancer if they notice soot in their nose or throat.