Three young boys and a woman have died in a house fire in Brent, northwest London, with a man arrested at the scene.
Firefighters arrived to Tillett Close, Stonebridge, near Wembley, at 1:22am on Saturday morning.
A 43-year-old woman and three boys, aged 15, eight and four died at the scene, the Metropolitan Police confirmed.
Their next-of-kin have been informed. ‘Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time,’ the force added.
Two others have been rushed to hospital by the London Ambulance Service with police awaiting updates on their conditions.
A 41-year-old man has been arrested at the scene in connection with the incident and is being held in custody.
Superintendent Steve Allen, from the Met’s local policing team in northwest London, said: ‘This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved.
‘Officers arrested a man at the scene and we continue to work alongside investigators from the London Fire Brigade to establish the cause of the fire.’
Firefighters arrived to Tillett Close (pictured), near Wembley, at 1:22am on Saturday morning
A 43-year-old woman and three boys, aged 15, eight and four died, the Metropolitan Police confirmed
A 41-year-old man has been arrested at the scene in connection with the incident and is being held in custody
He added: ‘Emergency services will remain in Tillett Close throughout the day as these enquiries take place.’
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters responded to the blaze early on Saturday morning, the London Fire Brigade confirmed.
Met Police officers were later called to assist at the scene and the fire was under control by around 3.25am, the service added.
Pictures show two terrace houses, each with three floors, were involved in the fire.
LFB assistant commissioner Keeley Foster said: ‘Upon arrival, firefighters were met with a well-developed fire, involving two adjoining properties.
‘Crews immediately set to work carrying out firefighting operations in order to bring the incident under control.
‘Sadly, a woman and three children have died as a result of this fire.
‘Crews wearing breathing apparatus were able to rescue the woman and one of the children from the second floor, but they were later declared deceased at the scene.’
Eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters responded to the blaze, the London Fire Brigade confirmed
‘Crews wearing breathing apparatus were able to rescue the woman and one of the children from the second floor, but they were later declared deceased at the scene,’ LFB assistant commissioner Keeley Foster said
The fire was under control by around 3.25am, the service added
Superintendent Steve Allen confirmed that ’emergency services will remain in Tillett Close throughout the day’
She added: ‘A further two children were discovered to have died in the fire, as crews carried out a search of the properties involved.
‘This is an extremely tragic incident, and the thoughts of everyone across the brigade are with those impacted by this incident.’
A spokesperson from the London Ambulance Service said: ‘Our crews treated six patients at the scene, assessed a further six, and another was treated by police.
‘Sadly, despite our best efforts and those of our emergency partners, four people were pronounced dead at the scene.
‘A further two were taken to hospital.’
Anyone with information is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 509/24May or anonymously through Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.
This is a breaking news story. More updates to follow.