To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web
browser that
supports HTML5
video
A man has been charged with murder, attempted murder and arson following the Hounslow fire, which left one woman dead.
Detectives launched a murder investigation after a 48-year-old woman died in the blaze at Berkeley Avenue, Hounslow, at just before 1am on Wednesday.
An additional eight people were taken to hospital with injuries, with one 40-year-old woman still fighting for her life.
Pawel Kulpa, 34, has been charged over the fire, including one count of arson with intent to endanger life, as well as murder and attempted murder.
Lisa Ramsarran, chief Crown Prosecutor for London North, said: ‘Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to pursue criminal proceedings.
‘We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses.’
Images from the scene show the exterior of the terraced house severely smoke-damaged and blackened, with the upstairs eaves melted and windows broken.
Neighbours told Metro how ‘terrifying’ the fire was, as flames were ‘very strong’ and they could hear screaming coming from the house.
They praised one man, Satwant Singh, as a ‘hero’ after he had run towards the house to help firefighters with his hosepipe.
‘People were real heroes, my neighbour who ran out with his hosepipe was so quick thinking, an absolute legend,’ said a local.
‘They ran towards the fire. He was spraying water on the flames. They were pulling people out of a window downstairs. It was very frightening and these people saved lives for sure. They ran towards the danger.’
Kulpa will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, August 25.
Latest London news
- London brewery is begging customers to stop queuing in single file at the bar
- ‘No one will be able to breathe’ – Londoners brace for dusty festival chaos this weekend
- Are live facial recognition cameras on Oxford Street justified?
To get the latest news from the capital, visit Metro’s London news hub.
Got a story? Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk. Or you can submit your videos and pictures here.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
Follow Metro.co.uk on Twitter and Facebook for the latest news updates. You can now also get Metro.co.uk articles sent straight to your device. Sign up for our daily push alerts here.