A second child has died after five people were taken to hospital following a house fire in east London on Saturday.
The six people involved are believed to be members of the same family who all lived together at the address on Napier Road, East Ham, the Metropolitan Police said.
One child was pronounced dead at the scene on Saturday morning, while a second child died overnight in hospital, the London Fire Brigade (LFB) said.
Four other people remain in hospital, two adults and two children, including a child whose condition is critical.
Speaking to the PA news agency at the scene on Sunday, neighbour and friend of the family Rida Nawaz, 28, said: “We can’t believe this happened.
“There are no words to describe our feelings about them.
“My husband broke the upstairs window, I broke the front window.
“We just wanted to save them.”
Her husband Shah, 37, said he and other Napier Road residents threw bricks to try and break the windows, so the family could escape.
He went on: “Someone threw the big brick, the full brick, at the window but couldn’t break it.
“And the half brick, I hold in my hand, I threw it… to help the family because the mum – she was by the window.”
He added: “The dad, he came through the roof – after five, 10 minutes we saw on the corner the children came.
“We saw the police running up and using CPR, giving them CPR.”
Another neighbour described the mother of the two children who died in the housefire as a “very strong and motivated mum” and that she had saved her third child by sending her upstairs.
Sabah Waheed, 35, said they had known each other for 10 years.
She said: “She was a very strong lady, always looking after her children, very strong and motivated mum and this tragedy happened, I’m sure she must have tried her best to do something.
“She sent one child upstairs – she saved her life.
“But unfortunately, whatever happened three children were seriously burned.”
She continued: “This is a very big loss for the local community and it’s very sad news among the friends.”
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to the blaze just before 8.30am on Saturday, the LFB said.
Half of the first floor and half of the ground floor of a terraced house were damaged by the fire, which was under control by 9.10am.
A fire engine and a police forensics van were parked at the scene on Sunday as investigations continued.
Two windows of the house and the glass in the front door were smashed and investigation teams in white forensics suits entered the building and the neighbouring property.
Members of the community embraced and cried as they gathered on the street outside where flowers were left in tribute.
Notes left with the flowers included one that read “so sorry for your terrible loss”.
📣 🧵 Update: I am heartbroken to have to share this latest update.
Tragically, a second child from the family impacted by yesterday’s house fire incident in East Ham in @NewhamLondon has passed away.
It is just an unimaginable loss and my heart goes out to the parents 🤍 https://t.co/3itBTZ4XfM
— Rokhsana Fiaz OBE (@rokhsanafiaz) July 14, 2024
The London Ambulance Service sent ambulance crews, advanced paramedics, members of its Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) and an air ambulance to the scene.
LFB assistant commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said: “This is a terribly sad incident and the thoughts of all of us at London Fire Brigade are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time.”
He continued: “Sadly, one child was pronounced dead at the scene yesterday morning, and overnight a second child died in hospital.
“Two other children and two adults were also taken to hospital, where the children and one adult remain in a serious condition.”
Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Burks, one of the officers responsible for policing in Newham, said: “I appreciate that local people will be shocked and saddened by this tragic event.
“We share those sentiments and will do all we can, alongside LFB, the local authority and other partners, to provide the family and local community with support and answers to their questions about this heart-breaking incident.”
Police added that inquiries were ongoing to identify and inform other family members.
Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz said on X, formerly Twitter, that she was “heartbroken” at the incident and that those affected were in her prayers.
She added: “It is just an unimaginable loss and my heart goes out to the parents.”
The cause of the fire is under investigation by the fire service and the Metropolitan Police and that, at this stage, there is no evidence to indicate suspicious circumstance, police said.
