Latest news with #Mamasuze
Times
9 hours ago
- Times
Mother, Annabel Rook, fatally stabbed before gas explosion
A mother feared murdered inside her London house before a suspected gas explosion can be identified as a dedicated community worker. Annabel Rook, 46, was found fatally stabbed inside a house in Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, northeast London, just before 5am on Tuesday. Scotland Yard detectives are investigating after the mother of two suffered catastrophic stab wounds before the gas explosion rocked the affluent neighbourhood. She died at the scene. The Metropolitan Police said a 44-year-old man was later arrested on suspicion of murder. LILY SHANAGHER/PA The man was taken to hospital to be treated for non life-threatening slash wounds. Two children, aged nine and seven, were taken to hospital but they were not believed to have been inside the property at the time of the explosion. Friends paid tribute to Rook, who co-founded Mamasuze, an arts project for vulnerable people including women and children who are survivors of forced displacement and gender-based violence. 'Theatre for social change really works,' she recently wrote online. 'I have been working with marginalised and displaced people for over 20 years. 'I believe the ability to play and create should be a fundamental human right and in my work I aim to enable people to be creative and help them find their voice. 'We build a strong community through offering diverse workshops in different art forms that nurture creativity, foster social connections and rebuild confidence and identity. 'Helping women to build a more positive future for themselves and their families.' Neighbours told of their shock after the explosion tore through the two-storey terraced house with a loud bang before the sound of glass shattering was heard. Halil Youdjel said: 'There's no chance you couldn't hear it. There was suddenly a bang and screaming and shouting. Then I looked out the window and saw glass everywhere.' Another added: 'It woke me up at about 5am this morning. It sounded like something dropping. There was an impact and then rubble falling. I think I heard a faint voice too. 'It didn't sound like an explosion, more like a wall coming down.' Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to the two-storey terraced house shortly before 5am on Tuesday. Police and paramedics were also called to the property in the borough of Hackney. SWNS Residents described hearing a bang and the sound of glass shattering. One man, who did not wish to be named, said he heard a crash 'like somebody dropped a massive glass cabinet from a crane'. He added: 'I looked out and saw panes of glass on the floor. You could tell it wasn't a car window. Eventually, I noticed the beam on the bay window was missing and could see some mild smoke coming out of the back. There was a guy rushing around, very distraught. He went round the back.' A 76-year-old neighbour said: 'I was asleep upstairs and heard a sudden bang then I saw all the glass on the floor. I was worried. Everybody on the street came out in their pyjamas.' Another neighbour said: 'I'm pretty sure it was two bangs I heard. There was lots of glass shattering. I knew it wasn't a car crashing because it sounded like lots of glasses had been smashed.' Police and the London Fire Brigade are investigating the cause of the explosion, which was brought under control by firefighters in about 40 minutes. SWNS LILY SHANAGHER/PA A fire brigade spokesman said: 'Sadly, one woman was pronounced dead at the scene. One man was also found at the property suffering injuries.' Darren McTernan, the fire station commander, added: 'Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area for most of this morning while investigations into the cause of this incident are carried out. There are road closures in place on Stoke Newington Church Street from the junction of the A10 to Defoe Road. Residents should also note that Kersley Road is completely shut at this time.'
Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Telegraph
Pictured: Mother found stabbed to death after gas explosion at house
A woman found fatally stabbed in a house after a gas explosion was the co-founder of a charity that worked with domestic violence victims. Annabel Rook, 46, a mother of two, has been named locally after she was found dead in a property in Stoke Newington, north London. Six fire engines and 40 firefighters were called to reports of an explosion early on Tuesday morning after a blast ripped through the corner property on Dumont Road. When officers gained entry to the house, police said they discovered a woman suffering from stab wounds. Despite the best efforts of paramedics, she was declared dead at the scene. Rook was the co-founder of Mamasuze, an arts-based charity run by an all-female team that works with victims of gender-based violence, refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. Rook had lived in the house since 2012 and was a popular member of the community. On one of her social media pages, she described herself as a 'teacher, educationist, sailor, traveller, theatregoer'. She studied history of art at Bristol University and graduated in 2001. A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to hospital to be treated for slash wounds. Two children, aged seven and nine, were also taken to hospital as a precaution, but are not thought to have been inside the home when the explosion happened. A nearby property developer, who did not wished to be named, said he had known Rook ever since she moved into the house. He said: 'She was your typical doting Mum. 'It's incredibly sad what happened to her and the local community is shocked... I can't believe what happened.' Halil Youdjel, 29, who lives a few doors down from where the gas explosion occurred, said: 'My whole flat was shaking. 'I thought a car had slammed into a wall. 'I went outside and there was smoke and glass everywhere. Properties on the street in north London have sold for around £1.5 million. Another resident on Dumont Road said he heard a crash 'like somebody dropped a massive glass cabinet from a crane'. The man, who did not wish to be named, added: 'I looked out and saw panes of glass on the floor. You could tell it wasn't a car window. 'Eventually I noticed the beam on the bay window was missing and could see some mild smoke coming out of the back. 'People starting arriving and saying to phone the police. 'There was a guy rushing around, very distraught. He went round the back.'
