Dad whose family was killed in fire keeps bedside vigil for surviving daughter

A man whose wife and three children died in a fire at the family home in north London is ‘devastated’ and keeping vigil at the bedside of his surviving daughter who was also injured, a family friend said.

The dad, 43, suffered burns after trying to save his wife Nusrat Usman, 43, and their children Maryam Mikaiel, 15, Musa Usman, 8, and Raees Usman, 4, after the blaze broke out at their home in Tillett Close, Stonebridge in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Local councillor Tariq Dar MBE and Islamic scholar Mufti Abdul Wahab have named Usman Ghani as the man whose children and wife have been killed.

Usman, a former bus driver, ‘lived for his family’, according to a family friend who spoke to Metro.

The couple’s surviving daughter, 13, is in hospital fighting for her life. A woman in her 70s was also taken to hospital but has since been released

The family friend said: ‘He is a loving soul who lives for his family. He is struggling to eat or speak at the moment he is devastated and in total shock.

‘He went back into the house to try to save his family and has burns. His daughter is seriously injured. He is at her bedside in hospital, praying she will pull through. It’s all he has left to cling onto.

‘He called her his little angel and that’s what she is. She is his light, his hope. They are a British Pakistani family. My family had known theirs for 30 years. They are lovely people, so respected in the community.

‘That’s why so many people tried to help when there broke out. They are well loved neighbours.’

The friend said the family dog also escaped with its life from the inferno.

He added: ‘The family dog survived. The dad loves the dog and it’s another small thing for him as a crumb of comfort at this time. He is heartbroken. I have been trying to console him but what do you say to someone who has suffered this?

‘His kids who died were wonderful. One of my children is in the same class as his and we are all struggling to cope with the loss. After he had to leave bus driving over health issues, he devoted himself to his family. Everything was for the kids.’

Mr Wahab 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.’

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.

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