5 dead in horror blaze with one still missing as 70 firefighters tackled inferno

Hounslow fire leaves country 'shocked and saddened' tonight

One person still remains unaccounted for following the fire in Hounslow.

Around 70 firefighters rushed to the scene as the ground floor and first floors of a mid-terraced house were destroyed by a fire. Part of the roof was also damaged as well.

Speaking today, Chief Superintendent Wilson, flanked by London Fire Brigade's Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Smith, said the fire was reported around 10:30pm last night but emergency services have an "open mind" as the investigate. He said: "I know that people across the country will be shocked and saddened by these events last night. We will be working tirelessly with our colleagues to provide answers. At this time we have an open mind as to the cause of the fire."

Mirror has delivered updates on developments following the fire in this live blog, which has now ended.

The victims of killer house blaze in Hounslow are named

The victims of the horrific fire - thought to have been triggered by a firework - have been named.

Aroen Kishen and his wife Seema were thought to be inside the property when the blaze first erupted. A total of five people, including three children, have been confirmed dead.

Neighbours told of the harrowing screams of a man, thought to be Mr Kishen, shouting "my children, my children" after allegedly escaping the blaze.

It is understood that one of the children was a baby. Ten fire engines and 70 firefighters were dispatched to the scene on Channel Close in Hounslow, West London, at 10:26pm on Sunday night.

For the full story, click this link.

Seema, her husband Aroen Kishen and two of their three children - only the dad survived the blaze (UKNIP)

Neighbours tell of scenes of 'panic' after the fire started

Locals were left worried that the fire would spread as they saw the smoke in the area last night. Kirit Valand, 70, told our sister title My London: "I went outside to see what happened and the fire brigade told us to shut our windows and doors.

Diners flee restaurant fire after 'sparkler in drink ignited wall decorations'

"I was in panic, I didn’t sleep properly. I was worried the fire would spread further. There were fireworks going off across the area for Diwali. It’s very sad.”

And Ashish Sosniah, 27, said: "I could hear two hours of continuous fireworks from the area when I was coming back from the temple last night.

"I thought this was abnormal even for Diwali. By 11.30 I could see the white smoke and fire engines rushing to the scene. There were about five or six of them here and loads of police."

An investigation into the house fire continues (Humphrey Nemar)

Property remains 'structurally unsound,' say fire brigade

The property on Channel Close is "still structurally unsound," the fire brigade has said.

Sky News has reported this is causing difficulties in the investigation, as it is thought firefighters are unable to access all of the building.

Neighbours continue to share their grief at the huge tragedy.

Investigations are ongoing into the blaze in west London (Marcin Nowak/LNP)

Police 'not ruling anything out' as to the cause of the fire

Metropolitan Police are "not ruling anything out" as to the cause of the fire, the force said in a press conference outside the home.

Chief Superintendent Wilson, flanked by London Fire Brigade's Deputy Commissioner Jonathan Smith, explained that the fire was reported around 10:30pm last night.

He said: "We are here to talk about the very tragic that happened last night. Despite the life-saving efforts of all those attending, I am very sorry to inform you all that five people have lost their lives in this fire.

"Sadly, at least three of those were children. I know that people across the country will be shocked and saddened by these events last night. We will be working tirelessly with our colleagues to provide answers. At this time we have an open mind as to the cause of the fire."

Chief Superintendent Wilson added he was "not ruling anything out" as to the cause of the fire.

Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson and London Fire Brigade's Jonathan Smith spoke to the media (PA)

Neighbours describe horrific scenes on Channel Close

Residents on the cul-de-sac spoke of horrific scenes, some of which they'd "never seen before".

Ram Saldhu, a father of four, said: "I have lived here for 35 years and have never seen anything like this before. We were doing fireworks and finished about eight o'clock. We went out the back and saw the flashing lights and the smoke.

"There were lots of fireworks going off last night. I saw the flashing lights about ten o'clock, and I could see the smoke coming out [of the house]. It's very bad news."

An investigation into the house fire continues (Humphrey Nemar)

Locals heard screams and could only watch as property burned

CATCH UP on latest as fire claims five lives - including three children

This is a catch up of the latest developments surrounding the tragic fire in Hounslow, west London.

• Five people are dead, all from the same family, including three children
• One adult remains unaccounted for
• Police investigating but no arrests made so far
• Emergency services remain on the scene today
• Fire broke out shortly before 10.30pm yesterday evening and was brought under control by 1.25am

The west London property after the blaze (Marcin Nowak/LNP)

Met Police 'working tirelessly' to find answers into fatal blaze

The Met Police have said they're working "tirelessly" to find answers of the fatal blaze that claimed five lives - including three children.

At a press conference held at the scene of the incident, Chief superintendent Sean Wilson said: "Everyone will want to know why this tragedy occured, and we will be working tirelessly with our colleagues in the London Fire Brigade to find those answers.

"At this time, we have an open mind as to the cause of the fire ... we are receiving advice from specialist officers who are experienced in specialist investigations. This is to ensure that every strand of evidence is gathered and reviewed."

Emergency services at the scene of the incident (Tony Kershaw / SWNS)

Whole area 'covered in smoke' following fatal blaze

The whole area was "covered in smoke" following the horrific fire last night.

Ashish Rosaih, a local who lives just minutes away, said that the area was "covered in smoke" following the blaze.

“Last night was Diwali so there were lots of fireworks going off in this area. I walked past at around 11:30pm and the area was covered in smoke. I couldn’t see a thing. It was completely covered.

“I got back at roughly 3:30am and they wouldn’t let me in. The whole area was cordoned off. There were about 6-7 ambulances and 20 police officers.

“Then I saw the fire. It was like an animated movie. It was blowing out of the home. Everything was covered in smoke.”

Metropolitan Police Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson with London Fire Brigade's Jonathan Smith speaking to the media at the scene following the house fire (PA)

Man was screaming 'my kids, my kids' outside the burning house

Three of the five dead are children

In a statement from the scene of the blaze, Metropolitan Police chief superintendent Sean Wilson confirmed that of the five people who died, three were tragically children. The force had previously said that all of the dead were from the same family.

Chief superintendent Sean Wilson said: "At 10.30pm last night officers and colleagues from the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service and ourselves were called to a fire in Hounslow ... despite the life saving efforts of all those attending, I'm very sorry to inform you all that five people have lost their lives in this fire.

"Sadly, we believe that three of those who 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 that will cause unimaginable distress to the family, friends and communities of all those involved."

Chief Superintendent Wilson

Residents left terrified that fire would spread to other houses

Residents were left terrified that the blaze would spread to neighbouring properties.

Speaking to MyLondon, one resident said that they were worried for other homes along the road. Kirit Valand, 70, lives on Sutton Road, nearby Channel Close. He said: “I went outside to see what happened and the fire brigade told us to shut our windows and doors. I was in panic, I didn’t sleep properly.

"I was worried the fire would spread further. There were fireworks going off across the area for Diwali. It’s very sad.”

London's Deputy Mayor for Fire & Resilience 'saddened' to hear of Hounslow fire

London's Deputy Mayor for Fire & Resilience has issued a statement on the blaze in Hounslow that has claimed five lives so far.

Fiona Twycross, a Labour peer, said: "Saddened to hear of the tragic deaths following the house fire in Hounslow last night. Thoughts with all those affected and with the emergency responders as well."

Children amongst the five dead, MP says

Children are amongst the five people who died in last night's blaze in west London, an MP has said.

Ruth Cadbury, Labour MP for Brenford & Isleworth, said that she was "devastated" to learn that children had died in the horror fire last night. She said: "I am devastated to learn this morning that 5 people, including children, died in a fire in a house in Hounslow last night. My thoughts are with their family, friends neighbours."

The fire broke out last night and took hours to bring under control (Marcin Nowak/LNP)

London Ambulance Service issues statement

The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has issued a statement on last night's blaze. They said that an air ambulance was dispatched and members of the Hazardous Area Response team were sent out as well.

In a statement, the LAS said: "On Sunday at 10.28pm we were called to a fire in Channel Close. We sent a number of resources including five ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, two clinical team managers, two incident response officers and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team.

"We also dispatched London’s Air Ambulance. We treated two people on scene and took one to hospital and discharged the other. We remain on scene alongside colleagues from the London Fire Brigade."

On Sunday at 10.28pm we were called to a fire in Channel Close.

We sent a number of resources including five ambulance crews, an advanced paramedic, two clinical team managers, two incident response officers and members of our Hazardous Area Response Team. https://t.co/WUHidRKpu5

— London Ambulance Service (@Ldn_Ambulance) November 13, 2023

Two people treated at the scene of the blaze

Two people were treated at the scene of the blaze, the London Ambulance Service have said.

One person was discharged as the other was taken to hospital - where it's beleived they remain being treated for non life-threatening injuries.

Police superintendent issues statement

Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, responsible for policing in Hounslow, said: “My thoughts are with the loved ones of those who very sadly lost their lives in this tragic incident. I don’t underestimate the impact that this will have on the wider community and beyond. I understand that there will be a demand for answers and my officers are working to establish exactly what has happened.”

Police are investigating the blaze now (Marcin Nowak/LNP)

Nearby properties evacuated after blaze as a 'precaution'

Properties neighbouring and close to the burnt out house have been evacuated, police have said.

This has been done as a "precaution" after the blaze spread across the ground and first floors of a home.

Emergency services are seen near the property in Hounslow, west London (Marcin Nowak/LNP)

Man who escaped blaze in hospital with non life-threatening injuries

One man who escaped the burning house before emergency services arrived was rushed to hospital.

According to the Metropolitan police, he is being treated there and his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening.

In an update issued this morning, they said: "One man left the house prior to the arrival of emergency services. He was taken to hospital by LAS. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening."

Neighbour properties evacuated amid chaos of the blaze

Neighbouring properties have been evacuated as a precaution, the Met Police have said.

Surrounding properties were evacuated as a precaution (UKNIP)

New images of house in which five family members died

The fire hit the ground and first floors of the house (UKNIP)

Five dead all from the same family

The Metropolitan Police have confirmed that all five of the dead are related.

In a statement this morning announcing they were investigating the blaze, the Met said the five victims were all one family.

They said: "The bodies of five people were found inside the property and a sixth person is currently unaccounted for. It is believed that all five are members of the same family."

A tragic incident unfolded on Sunday evening in Hounslow as a devastating fire ripped through a property on Channel Close (UKNIP)

Met Police launch investigation into blaze

The Met Police have launched an investigation into the fatal blaze.

Detectives and London Fire Brigade are now investigating after the bodies of five people were recovered following the horrific house fire in Hounslow. Police were called at about 22:30hrs on Sunday, 13 November to reports of a fire at a residential address in Channel Close, Hounslow.

Officers attended alongside the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service. The bodies of five people were found inside and the Met Police confirmed that they were believed to all have been of the same family.

One man managed to escape the house before emergency services arrived. he was rushed to hospital and his injuries are not believed to be life threatening.

Nearby properties were evacuated as a precaution and enquiries into the cause of the fire are ongoing. At this early stage in the investigation there have been no arrests.

Anyone with any information is asked to call police on 101 and give reference 6845/12NOV.

Five people, all from the same family, died in the blaze (UKNIP)

One person remains missing

Worryingly, one person remains missing after firefighters battled last night's blaze.

After five people were confirmed dead at the scene, and one more managed to escape the house, the London Fire Brigade have said that one person is still unaccounted for.

The ground and first floors of a mid-terraced house were caught up in the blaze (UKNIP)

London Fire Brigade issue statement after five dead

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe offered his sincere condolences after the tragic deaths last night.

In a statement issued this morning, he 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."