Tragic incident: Pakistani-origin mother and three children killed in suspected arson attack in London

Dubai: A Pakistani-origin mother and her three children have died in a devastating house fire in Brent, north-west London, prompting a murder investigation and the arrest of a 41-year-old man.

Emergency services were called to Tillett Close in the Stonebridge area at around 1:20am on Saturday. Two terraced, three-storey homes were engulfed in flames by the time firefighters arrived.

The victims, a 43-year-old mother originally from Pakistan, her 15-year-old daughter, and two sons aged eight and four, were pronounced dead at the scene. Two other family members, a woman in her 70s and a teenage girl, were taken to hospital. Their conditions remain undisclosed, according to reports in the British media.

Suspect arrested

Police said a 41-year-old man was arrested outside the property on suspicion of murder and remains in custody. Officers are working to support the surviving family members and continue their investigation.

Superintendent Steve Allen confirmed in a statement that the woman who died was the mother of the three children.

“This is a truly heartbreaking incident. We are in the early stages of our investigation, but one man was arrested at the scene and is currently being questioned by officers,” he said.

Firefighters rescued a woman and a child from the second floor of the home, but both were later pronounced dead by air ambulance crews. The other two children were found inside during the firefighting effort.

Shocked neighbours

Neighbours and community members expressed shock and grief. Mohammad Labidi, a 38-year-old teacher and neighbour, told PA Media: “We used to socialise together. I can’t even look at the house right now. They were really good people.”

Another resident described the fire as “non-stop” and said the tragedy had deeply affected the close-knit community. “We’ have all grown up together. Everyone knows everyone. It is a very distressing time,” she said.

The family is believed to have moved to the UK from Pakistan over 20 years ago.

Reactions

Dawn Butler, Labour MP for Brent East, said she was “devastated” by the tragedy. “My prayers are with the family and friends affected by this very sad tragedy. Thank you to LFB-Brent for working hard to get the fire under control,” she posted on social media.

London Mayor Sadiq Khan called it “devastating news” and extended his condolences to the victims’ loved ones and the wider community. "This is devastating news and my thoughts are with the family, friends and wider community of the four people who sadly have lost their lives. I remain in close contact with the London Fire Brigade and Metropolitan Police as they work to establish the cause of the fire and offer support to all those impacted," he said on his X account.

Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster of the LFB said: “This is an extremely tragic incident. Our specialist fire investigation unit is working with the Metropolitan Police to determine the cause. We’re also coordinating with partners to support the local community at this difficult time.”