London tower blocks evacuated as 34 buildings fail fire test

34 high-rise blocks of flats in 17 different areas of England have failed fire cladding safety tests, Britain's department for Communities announced Saturday. 

The tests were launched following the devastating Grenfell Tower blaze, which left at least 79 people missing, presumed dead.

Some 4,000 residents of the Chalcots Estate in Camden, north London, were told to leave their homes on Friday over fire safety concerns. But not all residents agreed to leave, as they regarded the evacuation as an over-reaction.

Prime Minister Theresa May said local authorities would be given all necessary means to make sure people had somewhere to stay.

"In some cases it's possible to take mitigating action," May told Sky News. "In others it's been necessary for people to move out on a temporary basis and that is what happened in Camden last night."

Residents were seen on the streets with their children, pets and some clothing and food, trying to find a hotel. While local authorities did arrange some hotel rooms for residents, many others were directed to inflatable beds laid out on the floor of the local sports hall as temporary accommodation.