All we know as girl, 13, fights for life after fire kills mum and three kids

Daily Mirror

6 days ago

Four people tragically died in a house fire in Brent, northwest London, in the early hours of Saturday morning - here's everything we know so far as one girl remains in hospital fighting for her life
A community has been left in mourning after a fire ripped through a home and claimed the lives of a mother and her three children - with one girl still fighting for her life.
Neighbours living in Brent, northwest London, awoke to huge flames in the early hours of Saturday morning. Emergency services raced to Tillett Close in Stonebridge shortly after 1am. A mother, aged 43, along with her 15-year-old daughter and two sons - aged eight and four - were sadly discovered dead. An elderly family member, aged 70, and a teenage girl were hospitalised for treatment. Police and locals have since come forward with further information about the family who died.
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Police name victims
Police have named the mother who was killed in the fire as Nusrat Usman. Her deceased children were identified as Maryam Mikaiel, 15, Musa Usman, eight, and Raees Usman, four. A woman in her 70s was taken to hospital but has since been released. A 13-year-old girl remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Hero neighbour recalls terrifying moment
A tradesman who saved a grandmother and her granddaughter from the fire recalled the moment he ran into the burning building. Victor Pedra, 33, cut his hand as he broke a window on the lower floor to reach the trapped family at around 1.15am. He managed to create access for the nan and girl but couldn't get to the mother and her youngest son who were on the second floor.
He told Mail Online: 'The flames were so strong and there was smoke everywhere. I couldn't get to the second floor where the mum and her youngest son was. I couldn't sleep that night as I just kept hearing the screams from inside the house.'
His partner Leticia Maria, 31, added: 'The little girl managed to escape and was covered in black stuff from the smoke. She looked about 12-years-old. No one knows what caused the fire but you could hear explosions like things were popping."
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Man arrested after fire
The Met Police confirmed a 41-year-old man was arrested at the scene in connection with the incident. He has since been bailed and was subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act.
Superintendent Steve Allen said: 'Despite the efforts of the emergency services, I can confirm a woman and three of her children died at the scene.
'A further two members of the same family were taken to hospital and continue to receive treatment. The wider family have been informed, and officers will continue to support them at this incredibly difficult time. I recognise the significant impact this incident has had on the community.'
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Mum was pregnant
Neighbours have revealed the mother was expecting another baby. Locals also described the family as "nice" and said they had lived in Brent for a long time.
Speaking to the MailOnline, one neighbour said: "A Somali family lived next door. They came out through the back because the front door was stuck. I brought the children into my house. They were distraught and shaken up."
A fundraiser has since been launched to support the rest of the family. Donations reached £15,000 at the time of publishing. To further donate, visit here.