Nusrat Usman, 43, Maryam Mikaiel, 15, Musa Usman, 8, and Raees Usman, 4, were named as the victims of the devastating house fire by the Metropolitan Police Service earlier today
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Brent: Floral tributes left at the scene of a house fire
Four family members who died in a fire in Brent have been named. Nusrat Usman, 43, Maryam Mikaiel, 15, Musa Usman, eight, and Raees Usman, four, were named by police earlier today.
Superintendent Steve Allen, from the Met’s local policing team in north-west London, said that specialist officers are supporting the wider family. It was earlier reported that a woman in her 70s and a teenage girl who were both members of the family were taken to hospital by the London Ambulance Service (LAS). The girl, 13, remains in a critical condition while the older woman has been released from hospital.
A 41-year-old man was arrested in the early hours outside the houses. Police have now said he has since been bailed and then subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act.
“Local officers are working closely with officers from the Specialist Crime Command on what continues to be a very complex investigation,” Superintendent Allen said. “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.”
On Sunday morning, the road outside the terraced houses remained cordoned off, with two fire engines still at the scene. Bunches of flowers and a blue teddy bear were left near to the homes and crews wearing helmets and respiratory equipment were seen building scaffolding against the burnt out buildings.
Neighbours said the family are of Pakistani origin and had lived on Tillett Close, in the Brent area, for a long time. Cecilia Marquis, 60, said she was “stunned by the devastation” of the blaze. Ms Marquis, who is a caterer at Brentford FC and witnessed the fire in her street, said: “This will leave a devastating impact.”
Brave man Victor Pedra heard a father screaming “my children, my wife, my whole family is in there” as the home on Tillett Close, Stonebridge, burned. Mr Pedra ran towards the blaze and gained access to his neighbour’s house by breaking a window.
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 had gone outside and saw people standing around watching these huge flames so I just knew I had to act. I cut my hand breaking the window.”
He added that the grandmother and one of the daughters were able to get out safely through the garden. The front door had been blocked by fire.