BREAKING: Man arrested after St Raphael's fire in which a woman and three children died

From Metropolitan Police

An investigation is under way following the deaths of four people in a house fire in Brent.

Met officers were called to assist the London Fire Brigade at the fire in Tillett Close, Stonebridge, at 01:22hrs on Saturday, 24 May.

Sadly, four people, a 43-year-old woman, and three children – a 15-year-old girl, an eight-year-old boy, and a four-year-old boy – died at the scene.

Their next-of-kin have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this difficult time.

A further two people – a woman in her 70s and a teenage girl – were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service. We await an update on their conditions.

A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident and remains in custody.

Superintendent Steve Allen, from the Met's local policing team in north-west 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. Emergency services will remain in Tillett Close throughout the day as these enquiries take place.

Anyone with information that could assist our investigation is asked to call 101 quoting CAD 509/24May.

Information can also be shared anonymously with the independent charity Crimestoppers online or by calling 0800 555 111.

Muhammed Butt, Leader of Brent Council, responding to the tragic news said:

Last night London Fire Brigade responded to a house fire on Tillett Close in Stonebridge, which tragically claimed the lives of four people.

Our deepest condolences, thoughts, and prayers are with the families and friends of those who lost their lives in this horrific incident.

The council has set up a rest centre nearby and a dedicated team has been looking after families who needed to be evacuated. We will continue to support those affected.

We are working closely with the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police as they conduct their investigations into the cause of the fire, and will continue to offer them our full support and assistance.

London Fire Brigade said:

 Sadly, four people have died following a fire on Tillett Close, Stonebridge. 
 
Eight fire engines and around 70 firefighters were deployed to the scene. Two terraced houses, each consisting of three floors, were severely damaged by the fire. Four people left the properties before the Brigade arrived. All were assessed on scene by the London Ambulance Service, and two were taken to hospital for further treatment. 
 
 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 Brigade received the first of over 20 calls reporting the fire at 0113, and crews from Wembley, Park Royal, Willesden and surrounding fire stations were mobilised to the scene. Crews were able to bring the fire under control by 0324. 
 
The cause of the fire is under investigation by officers from the Brigade’s Fire Investigation Unit and the Metropolitan Police Service. 
 
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. 
 

Our specialist Fire Investigation Unit are working closely with colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Service to now determine the cause of this fire.
 

We are working closely with our partners to support the community at this very sad time.