A heartbreaking tragedy shook London on Sunday, as a mother and her three children lost their lives in a devastating house fire in the Stonebridge community, in the northwest of the British capital.
The victims have been identified as Nusrat Usman (43), her daughter Maryam Mikaiel (15), and sons Musa Usman (8) and Raees Usman (4).
Tragically, they could not escape the flames that engulfed their home on Tillett Close around 1:00 AM on Saturday.
Firefighters responded promptly after receiving emergency calls from neighbors. Although they managed to rescue Mrs. Usman and one of her children from the second floor, both succumbed to their injuries shortly after. The two other children were found dead inside the property.
Another 13-year-old girl remains in critical condition in the hospital, while a woman in her 70s has been discharged after treatment.
A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder. He has since been released on bail but later detained under the Mental Health Act. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that investigations are ongoing in coordination with the Specialist Crime Command.
Local councilor Tariq Dar confirmed via social media that the victims were members of Usman Ghani’s family. Eyewitnesses reported that Mr. Ghani tried to break into the burning home to save his family but was held back due to the extreme danger. He was seen shouting at another man present at the scene, saying: “This is all your fault.”
A local resident said she had sheltered the suspect in her car before police arrived, giving him clothes and attempting to speak with him, but he barely responded, only stating he had been staying at his friend’s house.
The flames completely destroyed two three-story homes on this typically quiet street in northwest London.
Fadumo Dahir, a survivor of the blaze, said she and her family of nine barely escaped after their door became jammed.
“Everything’s burned. We’re devastated. We left the house with nothing,” she said.
