A mother and her three children who died in a London house fire have been named.
Tragically, Nusrat Usman, aged 43, Maryam Mikaiel, 15, Musa Usman, eight, and Raees Usman, four, lost their lives in a fire that engulfed their home in Tillett Close, Stonebridge, at approximately 1 am yesterday.
Firefighters rescued Mrs Usman and one of her children from the second floor, but paramedics were unable to resuscitate them.
A woman in her 70s was taken to hospital but has since been released and a 13-year-old girl remains in hospital in a ‘critical condition’.
A man, 41, was taken into custody at the scene regarding the incident. Subsequently, he was released on bail and later detained under the Mental Health Act.
Superintendent Steve Allen of the Met’s local policing team in north-west London stated, “Our hearts are with all those affected by this tragic event.”
‘Specialist officers are continuing to support the wider family who have asked for privacy at this deeply upsetting time.
‘Local officers are working closely with officers from the Specialist Crime Command on what continues to be a very complex investigation.
A mother and her three children who died in a London house fire have been named (Pictured: firefighters at the scene yesterday, May 24)
Firefighters rescued the mother and one of her children from the second floor, but paramedics were unable to resuscitate them (Pictured: the blaze as it tore through the house)
A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident. He has since been bailed and was subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act (Pictured: the aftermath of the fire)
‘I’d like to thank the members of public, our first responding officers and colleagues from other emergency services for their efforts during this highly pressurised and distressing incident.
‘Equally, we appreciate this has affected the wider community who have been extremely supportive. You will see extra officers in the area during the coming days and some of the cordons will remain in place.
‘We are grateful for your patience and understanding. If you have any concerns then please speak to them.’
Local councillor Tariq Dar MBE yesterday named Usman Ghani as the man whose children and wife had been killed.
He wrote on Facebook: ‘It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of the wife and three beloved children—a daughter and two young sons—of Brother Usman Ghani in a tragic house fire in Wembley last night.
‘Please remember the entire family in your heartfelt duas during this incredibly difficult time.’
One survivor of the blaze which tore through two homes told MailOnline yesterday she was ‘broken’.
Fadumo Dahir was asleep in her home in Stonebridge, north west London, when she was awoken by her brother screaming ‘fire’ in the early hours of Saturday morning.
One survivor of the blaze which tore through two homes said yesterday she was ‘broken’ (Pictured: Forensics officers combing for evidence this morning, May 25)
Pictured: Scaffolding was erected on the front of the properties at the scene in Tillett Close, Stonebridge, in Brent following a fatal fire
The 28-year-old had to force a door which got stuck as she tried to escape with her family of nine around 1am.
Although her family managed to escape from the terraced property, Mrs Usman and her three children, Maryam, Musa and Raees all perished.
Yesterday Ms Dahir said: ‘We’re devastated. Everything has burnt down and we’re broken. We’ve lost everything. We escaped from the house with nothing.
‘The fire was going on while we were asleep. I went to the door to escape and it was jammed but eventually I was able to get it open.
‘All nine of us were inside at the time of the fire. My brother heard sizzling and things pop and he screams “fire”.
Local electrician Victor Pedra attempted to save Mrs Usman’s family after hearing a father screaming for help.
Mr Pedra smashed a window, injuring his hand as he helped to save a 70-year-old grandmother and her teenage granddaughter from the flames.
Locals said the victim’s husband, Usman Ghani, had attempted to run into the house but had to be held back for his own safety.
Pictured: Emergency services work at scene in Tillett Close, Stonebridge, in Brent today, May 25
Mr Pedra, 33, told the Sun: ‘I heard the dad outside crying and screaming “my children, my wife, my whole family is in there”. He was in shock and couldn’t really speak.
‘I couldn’t sleep that night as I just kept hearing the screams from inside the house.’
Residents described seeing a young girl coughing and covered in soot as she staggered outside, before being put onto a stretcher.
Michael Quinlivan, 83, has lived in the area for 49 years and said he had never witnessed anything like this.
‘I woke up at quarter to three in the morning, when I came down there were a load of people sitting on those stairs.
‘I think I knew the older lady – she was a nice woman. Every time I saw her we’d talk. I went back to bed and could still hear people talking.’
Anyone with information that could assist the Met’s investigation is urged to call 101 with the reference 509/24MAY.
Information can also be shared anonymously to Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111.
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
