Police have released the names of a mother and her three children who tragically perished in a house fire in north-west London early Saturday morning.
Nusrat Usman, aged 43, along with her daughter Maryam Mikaiel, 15, and her two sons, eight-year-old Musa Usman and four-year-old Raees Usman, lost their lives when their home in Stonebridge, Brent, became engulfed in flames, according to the Metropolitan Police.
A 13-year-old girl, whose identity has not been disclosed, is currently in critical condition at the hospital, while a woman in her seventies has been released after treatment.
A 41-year-old man has been taken into custody on suspicion of murder at the scene and has since been released on bail while being held under the Mental Health Act, according to the Met.
Emergency responders were alerted to the blaze on Tillett Close shortly after 01:20 BST on Saturday, with teams from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) arriving to assist.
The fire severely damaged two adjoining three-storey homes.
Around 70 firefighters and eight fire engines from Wembley, Park Royal, and Willesden stations were dispatched to combat the flames.
On Sunday, a teddy bear and flowers were placed near the affected houses in remembrance.
Superintendent Steve Allen of the local policing team expressed his condolences, stating that specialized officers are providing support to the bereaved family.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this tragedy,” he remarked.
“Local officers are collaborating closely with the Specialist Crime Command as this remains a very intricate investigation.”
He also noted that additional police presence will be increased in the area over the following days.
According to the LFB, a woman and a child were rescued from the second floor of one of the properties and initially received emergency care, but unfortunately, they were pronounced dead at the scene.
Two other children were also discovered inside the property and were declared deceased.
Keeley Foster, the LFB assistant commissioner, called the event “deeply tragic,” highlighting that the responding crew encountered a “well-developed fire.”
She added that the LFB will work alongside the Met to ascertain the cause of the fire.
