A tragic house fire in Brent, north-west London, has claimed the lives of a mother and her three children. The Met Police confirmed that a 41-year-old man was arrested outside the properties on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Emergency services were summoned at approximately 01:20 on Saturday to the blaze in Tillett Close, Stonebridge. Upon arrival, they discovered the victims: a 43-year-old woman, a 15-year-old girl, and two boys aged eight and four, as reported by the BBC.
Two terraced three-storey homes were completely destroyed by the fire. The Met Police stated that another woman in her 70s and a teenage girl, both related to the four deceased individuals, were transported to the hospital. Their current conditions have not been disclosed.
“Devastated to see the fatal fire at homes in Tillet Close last night,” Dawn Butler, the local MP for Brent East, expressed in a social media post.
She added that her “prayers are with the family and friends affected” by this “very sad tragedy.”
Superintendent Steve Allen confirmed in a statement on Saturday afternoon that the deceased woman was indeed the mother of the three children.
Around 70 firefighters and eight fire engines from stations across Wembley, Park Royal, and Willesden were deployed to combat the blaze, which had been reported by neighbors.
‘Extremely Tragic Incident’
One woman, who mentioned that the family had immigrated to the UK from Pakistan over 20 years ago, told the BBC that after hearing sounds of smashing and screaming, she went outside to find the adjacent building engulfed in flames.
Mohamed Labidi, a 38-year-old teacher residing in Tillett Close, stated he could not “even look at the house right now.”
Speaking to the PA news agency, he confirmed knowing the deceased woman and described the family as “really good people.”
“We used to socialize together,” he added.
Another neighbor conveyed her shock at the “devastation” caused by the fire.
Another resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, commented: “It’s a very distressing time for us and the neighborhood.”
In a statement, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said: “A woman and a child were rescued from the second floor of one property by crews wearing breathing apparatus and received immediate emergency care.”
