Mother and three children who died after house fire named by police

A mother and three of her children who died after a fire at two houses in north-west London have been named by police.

Nusrat Usman, 43, her 15-year-old daughter Maryam Mikaiel, 15, and two sons Musa Usman, eight, and Raees Usman, four, died at the scene of the blaze which gutted the two terraced homes in Tillett Close, Stonebridge, in the early hours of Saturday.

Two other family members, a woman in her 70s and a 13-year-old girl, were taken to hospital.

The woman has since been released, police said, but the girl remains in hospital in a critical condition.

A 41-year-old man who was arrested outside the houses has since been bailed and was subsequently detained under the Mental Health Act, the Metropolitan Police said.

“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.

On Sunday morning, the road outside the terraced houses remained cordoned off, with two fire engines still at the scene.

Bunches of flowers and a blue teddy bear were left near to the homes and crews wearing helmets and respiratory equipment were seen building scaffolding against the burnt out buildings.

Neighbours said the family are of Pakistani origin and had lived on Tillett Close, in the Brent area, for a long time.