A mother and her three children who died in a London house fire have been named.
Nusrat Usman, 43, Maryam Mikaiel, 15, Musa Usman, eight, and Raees Usman, four, all sadly lost their lives as the fire ravaged through their property in Tillett Close, Stonebridge at around 1am yesterday.
Firefighters were called to the scene by neighbours and rescued Mrs Usman and one of her children from the second floor, but paramedics were unable to resuscitate them.
The other two children were found dead inside the property.
A girl aged 13 remains in hospital in a ‘critical condition’ while a woman in her 70s has been discharged.
A 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of murder and he has since been bailed and subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act.
Superintendent Steve Allen, from the Met’s local policing team, said: ‘Our thoughts go out to all those impacted by what has happened.
‘Specialist officers are continuing to support the wider family who have asked for privacy at this deeply upsetting time.
‘Local officers are working closely with officers from the Specialist Crime Command on what continues to be a very complex investigation.
‘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.’
Councillor Tariq Dar MBE yesterday named Usman Ghani as the man whose children and wife had been killed.
Locals told the father had attempted to run into the house but had to be held back for his own safety.
They say Mr Ghani was seen shouting at a man believed to have been staying at the property, saying: ‘It’s all your fault.’
One neighbour said: ‘Usman looked as though his life had flashed before his eyes — those kids were his whole world.’
Cllr Dar wrote on Facebook: ‘It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of the wife and three beloved children—a daughter and two young sons—of Brother Usman Ghani in a tragic house fire in Wembley last night.
‘Please remember the entire family in your heartfelt duas during this incredibly difficult time.’
One woman in the area said she tried to help the suspect giving him clothes prior to the arrest: ‘He was just sitting in my car until the police came and took him.
‘I tried to speak to him but he wasn’t talking. All he said was that it was his friend’s house.’
One survivor of the blaze, which tore through two three-storey homes, told yesterday she was ‘broken’.
Fadumo Dahir was asleep in her home in Stonebridge, north west London, when she was awoken by her brother screaming ‘fire’ in the early hours of Saturday morning.
The 28-year-old had to force a door which got stuck as she tried to escape with her family of nine around 1am.
Although her family managed to escape from the terraced property, Mrs Usman and her three children, Maryam, Musa and Raees all perished.
Yesterday Ms Dahir said: ‘We’re devastated. Everything has burnt down and we’re broken. We’ve lost everything. We escaped from the house with nothing.
‘The fire was going on while we were asleep. I went to the door to escape and it was jammed but eventually I was able to get it open.
‘All nine of us were inside at the time of the fire. My brother heard sizzling and things pop and he screams “fire”.’
Meanwhile local electrician Victor Pedra attempted to save Mrs Usman’s family after hearing a father screaming for help.
Mr Pedra smashed a window, injuring his hand as he helped to save a 70-year-old grandmother and her teenage granddaughter from the flames.
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 couldn’t sleep that night as I just kept hearing the screams from inside the house.’
Residents described seeing a young girl coughing and covered in soot as she staggered outside, before being put onto a stretcher.
Michael Quinlivan, 83, has lived in the area for 49 years and said he had never witnessed anything like this.
He said: ‘I woke up at quarter to three in the morning, when I came down there were a load of people sitting on those stairs.
‘I think I knew the older lady – she was a nice woman. Every time I saw her we’d talk. I went back to bed and could still hear people talking.’
Anyone with information that could assist the Met’s investigation is urged to call 101 with the reference 509/24MAY.
Information can also be shared anonymously to Crimestoppers, by calling 0800 555 111.