On Tuesday evening, approximately 150 community members gathered in Brent, North London, to hold a prayer service in honor of a mother and her three children who tragically lost their lives in a house fire.
Nusrat Usman, aged 43, along with her daughter Maryam Mikaiel, 15, and her sons Musa Usman, eight, and Raees Usman, four, perished when their residence in Stonebridge caught fire early Saturday morning.
A 13-year-old girl, whose identity has not been disclosed, remains hospitalized, while a woman in her seventies has been released from medical care.
Local councilor Muhammed Butt remarked to BBC London that this heartbreaking incident has brought the community closer together.
The vigil took place at the very site of the disaster within the housing estate where the family lost their lives.
Mr. Butt, who also serves as the leader of Brent Council, expressed to BBC London: “We are grieving the loss of four precious lives. I reside just around the corner, and the unity of this community is palpable.
“Everyone is familiar with one another, and this tragedy has deeply affected all. The sorrow is evident as people feel the weight of this loss. They look after each other and share a genuine concern for all.”
Residents shared their heartbreak over the family’s passing and highlighted how the children’s father is struggling to cope with the aftermath.
To combat the fire, eight fire engines and around 70 firefighters from stations across Wembley, Park Royal, and Willesden were deployed.
Near the affected buildings, a teddy bear and flowers were placed as a memorial over the weekend.
According to the London Fire Brigade, a woman and a child were first rescued from the second floor of one of the impacted homes and received emergency treatment, but sadly, they were pronounced dead at the scene. Meanwhile, two additional children were discovered inside the premises and also declared deceased.
One neighbor, who shared that the family had relocated to the UK from Pakistan over two decades ago, recounted hearing sounds of glass breaking and screams, prompting her to step outside and discover the building engulfed in flames.
The Metropolitan Police have reported the arrest of a 41-year-old man on suspicion of murder in connection to the incident. He has since been released on bail and is currently under the care of the Mental Health Act.
