The cladding used in a renovation of Grenfell Tower may have been banned under UK building regulations, according to two British ministers.

Experts have claimed the exterior cladding, which contained insulation, was responsible for the speed and ferocity of Wednesday’s inferno, which left at least 58 residents of the 24-story apartment building dead.

The government is carrying out an “urgent inspection” of roughly 2500 similar tower blocks across the country to assess their safety.

Trade Minister Greg Hands and Treasury chief Philip Hammond said in separate TV appearances that the cladding used on Grenfell seems to be prohibited by British regulations.

“My understanding is that the cladding that was reported was not in accordance with UK building regulations,” Mr Hands told Sky News.

“We need to find out precisely what cladding was used and how it was attached.”

London police are investigating what caused the Grenfell Tower fire.

Mr Hands cautioned Sunday that investigators still don’t know exactly what cladding was used when the building renovation was completed last year.

He said there were roughly 2500 similar apartment towers throughout Britain.

One opposition lawmaker urged the Conservative government and police to immediately seize all documents related to the tower renovation.

David Lammy said he is worried that documents will be quietly deleted and disposed of as police begin a search for evidence.

He said all records including emails, meetings minutes, contractors correspondence, specifications, safety assessments and other reports should be kept intact.

“The Prime Minister needs to act immediately to ensure that all evidence is protected so that everyone culpable for what happened at Grenfell Tower is held to account and feels the full force of the law,” Mr Lammy said.

“When the truth comes out about this tragedy, we may find that there is blood on the hands of a number of organisations.”

He said tower residents who survived fear a cover-up will keep the truth from coming out.

He says trust in the authorities is “falling through the floor”.

After a church ceremony to pay respect to the victims of the fire, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said the fire was preventable and he found “a community frustrated and angry”.

“Angry not simply at the poor response in the days afterwards from the council and the government, but the years of neglect from the council and from successive governments,” Mr Khan said.

British Prime Minister Theresa May has been criticised for her muted response to the fire and had to be rushed away under heavy police guard from a meeting with residents on Friday as protesters shouted “Shame on you”.

Police have said criminal prosecutors will be pursued if there is evidence of wrongdoing.

– with AAP