In the early hours of Saturday morning, a devastating house fire in north-west London claimed the lives of a mother and her three children. The Metropolitan Police have identified the victims as Nusrat Usman, a 43-year-old woman, her 15-year-old daughter Maryam Mikaiel, and their two sons, Musa Usman, an eight-year-old boy, and Raees Usman, a four-year-old boy. The tragic incident occurred at a house in Stonebridge, Brent.
In addition to the victims, a 13-year-old girl remains in critical condition at the hospital, while a woman in her 70s has been discharged. The police have arrested a 41-year-old man on suspicion of murder outside the property. However, he has since been bailed and detained under the Mental Health Act.
The incident was reported to the police at approximately 01:20 BST on Saturday, with the London Fire Brigade (LFB) promptly responding. The fire engulfed two terraced three-storey homes, causing significant damage. To combat the blaze, eight fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters from various stations across Wembley, Park Royal, and Willesden were mobilized.
On Sunday, flowers and a teddy bear were laid near the properties as a token of remembrance and support for the family. Supt Steve Allen, from the local policing team, expressed his condolences to the affected individuals and stated that specialist officers are providing support to the family. He emphasized the ongoing complexity of the investigation and the close collaboration between local officers and officers from the Specialist Crime Command. Additionally, extra officers will be deployed to the area in the coming days to assist in the recovery efforts.
PA MEDIA
The London Fire Brigade reported that the fire was well-developed when the crews arrived. Tragically, a woman and child were initially rescued from the second floor of one of the affected properties and received emergency care. However, they were declared dead at the scene, as announced by the LFB on Saturday. Two more children were found inside the property and also succumbed to the fire, according to the LFB.
Keeley Foster, an assistant commissioner at the London Fire Brigade, described the incident as “extremely tragic” and noted that the attending crew encountered a “well-developed fire.” She emphasized that the LFB would collaborate with the Metropolitan Police to determine the cause of the fire.
A neighbor, who had lived in the UK for over two decades after relocating from Pakistan, recounted her harrowing experience. She had heard smashing and screaming and rushed to the building to find it engulfed in flames.
Mohamed Labidi, a 38-year-old teacher residing in Tillett Close, shared that the family was known for their kindness and goodness. Another neighbor expressed her shock and numbness, describing the devastation caused by the fire.
The leader of Brent Council, the local MP, and London’s mayor have all expressed their condolences in response to this tragic incident.
