Hounslow fire: Three children among five dead in deadly west London house blaze
Police keeping ‘open mind’ as to cause of deadly fire
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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.
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Mayor of London says his ‘thoughts are with the victims'
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
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 said the family’s father was heard wailing for his children after the tragic fire claimed five lives in Hounslow
Neighbours in shock as five killed in west London blaze
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’
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
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
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
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
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.”
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