Three boys, aged 15, eight and four, and a 43-year-old woman have died after a house fire in north-west London in the early hours of Saturday, the Metropolitan Police said.
The burnt-out buildings following the fire (Image: Ben Cawthra/LNP)
A man has been arrested after a woman and three boys died in a house fire in north-west London.
Police were called to assist the London Fire Brigade at the scene of the blaze in Tillett Close, Stonebridge, at 1.22am on Saturday. A 43-year-old woman, and three boys, aged 15, eight and four, died at the scene, the Metropolitan Police said. Their next-of-kin have been informed, the force added, as a neighbour described them as a “lovely family”.
Two other people were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service and their condition is unknown. A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident and remains in custody.
Neighbour tells of ‘lovely family’ and ‘heartbreak’ over what has happened
One resident, who lives metres away from the burnt-out property, told the Mirror: “My cousin phoned me last night to ask what was going on so I came outside and saw all the fire engines.
“I was shocked — I can’t even tell you how it felt, just heartbroken.
The former school worker, 52, continued: “I used to see the dad walking two Rottweilers. He is a London bus driver. They were a lovely family.”
Local MP Dawn Butler says ‘prayers are with the family and friends affected’
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.
“@LFB_Brent worked hard to get it under control, thank you. I continue to liaise with emergency services, police and council to support families affected.
“If you are affected and need support please contact me at: dawn.butler.mp@parliament.uk. Anyone with information that could assist the Met is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 509/24May.”
Firefighters and other people by the burnt out remains (Image: PA)
Fire service faced a ‘well-developed fire’ involving two houses
Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster said: “This is an extremely tragic incident, and the thoughts of everyone across the Brigade are with those impacted by this incident.
“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. A further two children were discovered to have died in the fire, as crews carried out a search of the properties involved.
‘Mum and child rescued from the blaze died at the scene’ says fire service
London Fire Brigade says that a mum and child were rescued from the fire but were declared dead at the scene while two more children were found inside.
A statement read: “A woman and a child were rescued from the second floor of one property by crews wearing breathing apparatus and received immediate emergency care.
“Both were sadly declared deceased at the scene by a Helicopter Emergency Services (HEMS) team. Two more children were discovered inside the property as crews carried out firefighting operations and were declared deceased at the scene.”
The fire service says two terraced houses, both three floors high, were affected by the fire.
The houses are on Tillett Close in Stonebridge, Brent.
The cul-de-sac is next to the North Circular and minutes from Stonebridge Park London Underground and railway station.
Ambulance service says four people pronounced dead at scene in ‘extremely tragic accident’
London Ambulance Service said that four people were pronounced dead at the scene in the “extremely tragic incident”.
A statement read: “We were called at 01:22 today (Saturday, 24 May 2025) to reports of a fire in Stonebridge (NW10). We sent resources to the scene, including ambulance crews, incident response officers, an advanced paramedic, @LAS_HART and @LDNAirAmb.
“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.
“Our thoughts are with all those impacted by this extremely tragic incident.” (The Mirror)