Hounslow fire: Three children among five dead in deadly west London house blaze
Three children are among five killed as one adult remains unaccounted for after a horror house fire in west London, police confirmed.
The blaze took hold in Channel Close, Hounslow at 10.26pm Sunday night, and on Monday morning the fire service confirmed there had been a number of fatalities.
Three children, their mother Seema Ratra and another adult houseguest from the same family are all feared dead.
The father Aroen Kishen is believed to have escaped the home and was seen by neighbours screaming “my kids, my kids” after the fire.
Devastated cousins of the victims held back tears and were too traumatised to speak the morning after the deadly blaze.
Police told a press conference this afternoon: “We believe that three of those who died are children and there is at least one other person, an adult, who remains unaccounted for.”
They added that they have an “open mind as to the cause of the fire” as he asked the public not to add to speculation.
Key Points
Three children among five members of same family killed in house fire
Mayor of London says his ‘thoughts are with the victims'
Police have ‘open mind’ as to cause of deadly fire
16:55 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
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15:34 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Mayor of London says his ‘thoughts are with the victims'
14:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “My thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and the wider community following this terrible fire in Hounslow in which five people tragically lost their lives including three children.
“I am in touch with the LFB Commissioner and the Met, whose officers remain on scene and continue to investigate the cause of the fire.
“Nearby properties have been evacuated as a precaution and officers will be on-hand to provide support and advice to the local community during this difficult time.
“I’d ask anyone with any information to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Three children among five members of same family killed in house fire
14:06 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
This is the first picture of a tragic family ripped apart by a house blaze during Diwali celebrations.
Three children, their mother Seema Ratra and another adult houseguest from the same family are all feared dead.
The father Aroen Kishen is believed to have escaped the home and was seen by neighbours screaming “my kids, my kids” after the fire.
He was later taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One person, an adult from the same family, remains unaccounted for. It is understood the family moved to Channel Close, Hounslow recently from Belgium.
Three children among five members of same family killed in horror house fire
Neighbours in shock as five killed in west London blaze
13:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Barney Davis reports from the scene of the incident in Hounslow:
Neighbour Sayed Arfeem, 80, said: “There was so much fireworks at our windows that night the loudest we have ever heard it in 22 years.
“It was so loud.
“Then it was police and firefighters everywhere. Then the ambulances started coming.
“It is very sad. I can’t believe it. I’m interested in how there could be five deaths. How was it so quick? Or if the fireworks were coming from their house.”
Another neighbour broke into tears as she said: “I saw the blue flashing lights.
“I came outside with my daughter. It was so foggy and smoky you couldn’t see how bad the fire was.
“There were so many fireworks we thought one may have misfired or hit a tree.
“We could see the fire behind the trees. It’s a nice neighbourhood a good community.
“It was a big celebration for Diwali and it turned tragic.”
‘A truly terrible incident’
13:15 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
At the scene, Chf Supt Sean Wilson told reporters: “Despite the lifesaving efforts of all those attending I’m very sorry to inform you all five people have lost their lives in this fire.
“Sadly, we believe that three of those that died are children.
“There is at least one other person, an adult, who remains unaccounted for.
“This is truly a terrible incident the loss of so many lives will cause unimaginable distress to families, friends and communities of all those involved.
“I know that people across the country are shocked and saddened by this terrible event last night.
“Everyone will want to know why this tragedy occurred.
“We will be working tirelessly with our colleagues at the London Fire Brigade to find those answers.“At this time we have an open mind as to the cause of the fire. I would ask people not to add to that uncertainty by speculating.”
Police have ‘open mind’ as to cause of deadly fire
12:45 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Police told a press conference this afternoon: “We believe that three of those who died are children and there is at least one other person, an adult, who remains unaccounted for.”
They added that they have an “open mind as to the cause of the fire” as he asked the public not to add to speculation.
Three children among five dead
12:31 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Three children are among five killed as one adult remains unaccounted for after a horror house fire in west London, police confirmed at a press conference this afternoon.
It is believed that all five are members of the same family, the Met Police said earlier today.
In pictures: Forensic services at scene of fire
12:27 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Forensic services are at the scene of the fire in Hounslow, Barney Davis reports from the scene.
Hole in the roof of terraced house destroyed by flames
12:16 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Our reporters Barney Davis and Jabed Ahmed are at the scene of the fire.
They photographed photos of a hole in a roof of a terraced house which has been destroyed by the blaze.
London Fire Brigade said: “The ground floor and first floors of a mid-terraced house were destroyed by fire and part of the roof was also damaged by the blaze.”
London’s Air Ambulance attended fire
11:37 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
London’s Air Ambulance was dispatched to Channel Close on Sunday night and LAS treated two people on scene, the service wrote on X.
On Sunday at 10.28pm we were called to a fire in Channel Close.
We sent a number of resources including five ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, two clinical team managers, two incident response officers and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team. https://t.co/WUHidRKpu5— London Ambulance Service 💙 (@Ldn_Ambulance) November 13, 2023
Man screamed ‘my kids, my kids’ as fire ripped through house
10:59 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
A “devastated” neighbour said she saw a man, believed to be the dad, screaming “my kids, my kids” after the fire.
Felica Matei, 29, a jeweller, told the Evening Standard: “We saw the man who lived there with his wife and children. My daughter used to play with his daughter. There was fire in him and he was screaming something like ‘my kids, my kids’.
She added that the family has been doing fireworks earlier in the evening for Diwali but she believes the blaze had “nothing to do with that as it was earlier than the fire”.
Adelin Matei, Ms Matei’s partner, said: “They moved here from Belgium. They are a lovely family. They had Christmas lights around the front door. I don’t know whether the fire had anything to do with it. There was smoke in our house.”
Officers investigating cause of the fire
10:30 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, responsible for policing in Hounslow, said: “My thoughts are with the loved ones of those who very sadly lost their lives in this tragic incident.
“I don’t underestimate the impact that this will have on the wider community and beyond. I understand that there will be a demand for answers and my officers are working to establish exactly what has happened.”
One man in hospital after escaping fire
10:28 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
The Met Police said one man left the burning house prior to the arrival of emergency services.
The force said he was taken to hospital by LAS, and his injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
‘Children among fatalities,’ MP Ruth Cadbury, whose constituency includes Hounslow, says
10:26 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Labour MP Ruth Cadbury, whose constituency includes Hounslow, said children were among the fatalities.
She wrote on X: “I am devastated to learn this morning that 5 people, including children, died in a fire in a house in Hounslow last night.
“My thoughts are with their family, friends neighbours.”
I am devastated to learn this morning that 5 people, including children, died in a fire in a house in Hounslow last night. My thoughts are with their family, friends neighbours.https://t.co/1ngrKsBeXt
— Ruth Cadbury MP 💙 (@RuthCadbury) November 13, 2023
Hounslow fire: Five people killed and one missing in horror blaze in west London
10:24 , Maryam Zakir-Hussain
Five people have been killed and one is left missing after a horror house fire in west London.
The blaze took hold in Channel Close, Hounslow at 10.26pm Sunday night, and on Monday morning the fire service confirmed there had been a number of fatalities.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “This is a terribly sad incident and the thoughts of all of us at London Fire Brigade are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time.”
Five people killed and one missing in horror house fire in London
