HELENSBURGH'S fire chief has led local expressions of sympathy to all those affected by the Grenfell Tower fire in London last week.

Staff at Helensburgh fire station were shocked when they heard the news.

Gregg McKearney, station manager, said: "Our thoughts go out to everyone affected, those who have lost their lives, their family and friends and those who attended the incident to help in any way they could."

Local politicians also expressed their sympathy and shock at what happened in London.

Brendan O'Hara, who was re-elected earlier this month as Argyll and Bute's MP, said: "This is a tragic and avoidable loss of so many individuals, young and old.

“I cannot give enough praise to our enduring emergency services who put themselves in danger, day in daily, come what may.

“As we have seen, the UK Government were painfully slow to respond and were it not for the incredible community spirit around Grenfell, I shudder to think of a more devastating outcome."

Helensburgh's MSP Jackie Baillie said: “My heart goes out to all the victims and the families of those who have perished at Grenfell Tower.

"This is the worst disaster in the UK for a generation and the whole country shares the sorrow and anger at the preventable loss of life.

“There will be a number of investigations carried out by the police and fire services and, ultimately, a public inquiry to get to the bottom of how this could have happened, and why the concerns previously raised by the local community were ignored.

"Their recommendations must be implemented in full because, this time, never again must mean never again."

West of Scotland Conservative MSP and Helensburgh resident Maurice Corry added: "I was extremely upset to learn of the tragic fire in Grenfell Tower. My heart goes out to those affected by this disaster.

"I admire the dedication, bravery and efficiency of the emergency services who worked tirelessly to minimise the loss.

"The community pulling together at such a devastating time is heart warming.

"I sincerely hope that the investigation highlights the cause of this fire so we don't see such a terrible event occurring again."

Seventy-nine people died in the blaze and 17 patients are being treated in four London hospital, nine remain in critical condition.

More people are missing and presumed dead following the tower blaze in Kensington last Wednesday.

Some experts have suggested that the cladding used on the building could have caused the fire to spread more quickly.

Ms Baillie added: “If it is confirmed that the cladding on Grenfell Tower caused the fire to spread, there will be serious concerns about the safety of similar materials used on buildings across the country.

"Local authorities, NHS boards, the Scottish Government and others must carry out checks high rise blocks and public buildings such as schools, hospitals and care homes, to confirm whether the cladding on the outside of the buildings is fire-proof.

"We also need assurances that all new public buildings have adequate sprinkler systems and smoke detectors installed. No stone should be left unturned.”