Hounslow house fire: Five family members die in west London blaze - everything we know
Five people from the same family are believed to have been killed in a house fire on Channel Close in Hounslow, west London.
Five members of the same family have died in a house fire in west London.
Police said that three children are among those who have lost their lives.
Yahoo News UK examines everything we know so far about the tragic fire.
What happened?
Firefighters were called to the blaze at a terraced house on Channel Close in Hounslow at 10.26pm on Sunday, the London Fire Brigade said.
The ground and first floors of the house were destroyed in the fire and part of the roof was also damaged.
Recommended reading
Three out of family of five who died in Hounslow fire believed to be children (Sutton Guardian)
Five people killed in house fire in west London believed to be from same family (Sky News)
Dad screamed 'my kids, my kids!' as Hounslow house fire killed five members of same family (Evening Standard)
One man left the house before emergency crews arrived and was later taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One person remained unaccounted for.
Watch: Five people killed in house fire in West London
Nearby homes were evacuated during the blaze, which was brought under control by 1.25am on Monday.
Who was killed in the fire?
Five people on the first floor of the building were pronounced dead at the scene, London Fire Brigade said.
The Metropolitan Police said three children were thought to have died in the blaze and that those killed were all believed to be members of the same family.
The adults who lived at the home have been named locally as Aroen Kishen and his wife Seema, while the children have been named in a tribute from their school as Riyan, Shanaya and Arohi.
One man, believed to be Mr Kishen, left the property before emergency crews arrived and was later taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
It is believed the three children and their mother died along with an adult guest from the same family.
What have people said about the family?
Tributes to the family were left at the scene of the fire on Tuesday.
Individual bunches of flowers for the three children were placed at the scene on behalf of Springwell School, Hounslow. Tributes attached to the flowers read: “Rest in peace sweet child.”
Another tribute, from a Mrs Sheldon, said: “Words cannot even begin to express our sorrow at hearing the loss of three beautiful souls.
“Forever in our hearts! Good night and God bless.”
Another tribute left at the scene from “Year 6“ read: “Dear Riyan. I am so sorry that this has happened to you.
“All crying today and missing you today. You are still part of our family.
“We will never forget you, and you will always be in our hearts. May God grant you eternal life in heaven.”
Rafiah Dhillon, 56, who lives less than 50m from the house, said the family always kept a “beautiful garden.”
The nurse said: “My son is partially sighted so we walk him around the block every day and we used to go past their house.
“I didn’t know the family but they always had a beautiful garden with lots of flowers and a nice bench outside. It was lovely to walk past.
“I came home at around midnight on Sunday. When the police escorted me into my home, the house was still ablaze and there was lots of smoke.
“It was very scary. I couldn’t sleep and I didn’t want to look away.”
What have the police said?
The Metropolitan Police said the cause of the fire was under investigation, but that no arrests had been made.
The force was asked if the fire was linked to fireworks set off to celebrate Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
Speaking at a press conference at the scene, Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, said: “At this stage, this is being investigated both by ourselves and specialist fire officers.
“I am not ruling anything out, I don’t think we are in a position to do that.
“We keep an open mind, it is such an early stage and there is an awful lot of work to be done.
“Sadly, we believe that three of those that have died were children and there is at least one other person, an adult, who remains unaccounted for.
“This is truly a terrible incident. The loss of so many lives will cause unimaginable distress to the family and friends, and the communities, of all those involved.
“Everyone will want to know why this tragedy occurred and we will be working tirelessly with our colleagues in the London Fire Brigade to find those answers."
What did the fire brigade say?
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “This is a terribly sad incident and the thoughts of all of us at London Fire Brigade are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time.
“Staff will be in the local community today to offer support and advice where needed.
“The welfare of our staff is very important and all those involved will be offered support from our counselling and trauma service.”
What did witnesses say?
Nick Marbrow, who lives on Sutton Road, with a view towards the burned-out house from his home, said he noticed an “unusual amount of smoke” on Sunday evening.
He said: “When I went to bed last night, I could see a lot of smoke.
“I could see an unusual amount of smoke, but then it is Diwali, there were fireworks going off.
“It’s very unusual for this area, it’s safe around here.”
Ashish Sosniah, who was passing the street on his way to temple, said he saw fireworks going off “for an hour” between 8pm and 9pm.
He said: “There were lots of fireworks going off for Diwali. I could see white smoke.”
Mr Sosniah said that when he next passed at around 11.30pm there were emergency services at the scene.
