Four young children and an adult woman tragically die in a house fire, with man taken into custody by police

Three young children and a woman have died in a house fire in Brent, northwest London, with a man arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder.

Firefighters arrived to Tillett Close, Stonebridge, near Wembley, at 1:22am on Saturday morning.

A 43-year-old woman, a 15-year-old girl and two boys aged 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 other individuals, a woman in her 70s and a teenage girl, were swiftly transported to a hospital by the London Ambulance Service (LAS), with law enforcement 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 on suspicion of murder.

In response to the incident, Superintendent Steve Allen, from the Metropolitan Police’s local policing team in northwest London, expressed, “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved.”

Allen added, ‘Officers apprehended a man on the scene, and we are collaborating with investigators from the London Fire Brigade to determine 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 children, 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

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.’

London Ambulance Service (LAS) said the air ambulance, incident response officers, an advanced paramedic and hazardous area response team were deployed. 

A spokesperson from the LAS 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.’

Dawn Butler, the local Labour MP for Brent East, said in a post on X: ‘Devastated to see the fatal fire at homes in Tillett Close last night.

‘My prayers are with the family and friends affected by this is a very sad tragedy.’

Superintendent Steve Allen confirmed that ’emergency services will remain in Tillett Close throughout the day’

London Ambulance Service (LAS) said the air ambulance, incident response officers, an advanced paramedic and hazardous area response team were deployed

A spokesperson from the LAS 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’

Dawn Butler, the local Labour MP for Brent East, said in a post on X: ‘Devastated to see the fatal fire at homes in Tillett Close last night’

She added: ‘@LFB-Brent worked hard to get it under control, thank you.’

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.