Man Arrested for Murder After House Fire Kills Woman and Three Children in Brent

Multiple casualties in Brent house fire

A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder following a devastating house fire in Brent, northwest London, that claimed the lives of a woman and three children in the early hours of the morning.

Emergency services were called to the scene in Stonebridge, near Wembley, shortly after 1:20 a.m. Firefighters arrived to find a well-developed fire engulfing two adjoining three-storey terrace houses. Eight fire engines and approximately 60 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade (LFB) were deployed.

Emergency services at the scene

Despite rescue efforts, a 43-year-old woman, a 15-year-old girl, an eight-year-old boy, and a four-year-old boy were pronounced dead at the scene. Two of the victims were rescued from the second floor by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus but were later declared dead by air ambulance crews. The other two children were discovered inside the property and could not be saved.

The blaze was brought under control by 3:25 a.m., but the damage to the properties was extensive. London Ambulance Service responded with an air ambulance, advanced paramedic, hazardous area response team, and incident response officers. Two additional individuals were taken to hospital, and their conditions are currently unknown.

Emergency services at the scene

The Metropolitan Police confirmed the arrest of a man at the scene in connection with the incident. He remains in custody while investigations continue.

LFB Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster expressed condolences, stating, "This is an extremely tragic incident, and the thoughts of everyone across the brigade are with those impacted." She noted that firefighters acted swiftly to contain the blaze and conduct rescue operations, but the extent of the fire made recovery efforts extremely difficult.

Emergency services at the scene

Superintendent Steve Allen of the Met’s northwest London policing team also offered condolences and confirmed that emergency services will remain in Tillett Close as investigations progress. Authorities from the Met Police and London Fire Brigade are working jointly to determine the cause of the fire.

Local MP Dawn Butler expressed her sorrow, calling the incident a "very sad tragedy" and extended prayers to the families and friends of the victims.

Multiple casualties in Brent house fire