An early Saturday house fire claimed the lives of 43-year-old Nusrat Usman and her three Pakistani-origin children residing in Brent, northwest London. These individuals have been identified as: Maryam Mikaiel (15), Musa Usman (8), and Raees Usman (4) – as reported by The Sun, Guardian, Sky News, People.com and Standard (13). Emergency services were called to Tillett Close at around 1:10 a.m. on May 24. Upon their arrival, firefighters found two terraced, three-storey homes completely engulfed by flames that quickly spread. Although efforts were undertaken by firefighters to save Nusrat and one of her children from the second-floor balconies, both were found deceased at the scene; two additional children died during firefighting operations within their own properties during these operations (People.com +8 BBC +8, Gulf News +5 Gulf News for instance). BBC +8, BBC +8 Gulf News +8, BBC +8, Gulf News +8, BBC +8, Gulf News +7 and Sky News +7 Sky News +7 for coverage). Two other members of the family–a 13-year-old girl and a woman in her 70s–were also home at the time. While one remains hospitalized in critical condition, treatment was administered to both parties and they have both since been released after receiving care. Sky News | People | BBC | Sky News | The Guardian Metropolitan Police officers arrested a 41-year-old suspect of murder at the scene and later placed him under detention under the Mental Health Act. BBC, Guardian, Express Tribune, Sun and Times all report this news story as factual reporting by various news sources (BBC + 9, Guardian +9, Express Tribune+ 9, The Sun+5, Times). Neighborhood members have expressed great sadness following this tragedy. Mohamed Labidi, 38 years old teacher living nearby and described the family as being comprised of “really good people”, adding: “We used to socialise together and now I can’t bear looking at their home anymore. Gulf News +3 People.com +3 | The Guardian +3 | The Express Tribune | Gulf News | BBC. Victor Pedra, an electrician and neighbor, came to the aid of those trapped inside during a fire in their home in Brooklyn. Hearing the father’s urgent pleas, Pedra quickly broke through a lower floor window to rescue grandma, teenage girl and grandfather who were all trapped inside. The Standard, Sun +3 Tariq Dar MBE identified Usman Ghani as Ozzy and asked that people continue their prayers during this difficult time for his family. Gulf News +2 People.com +2 Sky News and The Times also provided updates. London Fire Brigade responded quickly, dispatching eight fire engines and approximately 70 firefighters to tackle the blaze. Metropolitan Police officials and London Fire Brigade officials are conducting joint investigations into what sparked it; The Independent (+9) BBC (+9) The Guardian +9. Floral tributes and a blue teddy bear were left near the scene to show community mourning the loss. Superintendent Steve Allen from the local policing team stated, “This was an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved.” BBC, Sky News, The Standard & The Times all carried coverage as did BBC. Across these media, tributes of flowers & blue teddy bear were laid at the site as tribute to those lost. 1 In response to media inquiries for comment. ( 2) BBC, Sky News +7 (six), Superintendent Steve Allen stated “This was an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved”. BBC +6 Investigating the cause of the fire continues and authorities urge anyone with information to come forward.
