Man arrested on suspicion of murder after house fire kills one and injures eight

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a woman died and eight other people were injured in a house fire in west London.

Police were called following reports of a blaze at a property on Berkeley Avenue in Hounslow around 1am on Wednesday.

The arrested man, 34, was detained by Kent Police on Sunday as he travelled to France by train and is still in custody.

The Metropolitan Police said a 48-year-old woman died in hospital and another woman, 40, remains in a life-threatening condition following the fire.

Six men and one woman who were taken to hospital have since been discharged with minor injuries, the force added.

Images from the scene showed a light-coloured terraced house that was blackened on the outside, with window panes peeling and part of the upstairs eaves apparently melted.

The door seemed badly affected and the fire damage reached a neighbouring house.

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Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who is leading the investigation, said: "Our thoughts remain first and foremost with the victim's family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time, as well as everyone who has been injured.

"Our investigation is continuing at pace and we have arrested one man in connection with the incident."

He added: "Detectives are continuing to build a full picture of the circumstances surrounding the incident and are pursuing a number of lines of inquiry.

"We continue to ask any witnesses or anyone with information about the incident to please contact us as soon as possible."

Anyone with information or footage that may assist the investigation is urged to contact police or call Crimestoppers anonymously.

(c) Sky News 2026: Man arrested on suspicion of murder after house fire kills one and injures eight