Third child dies in east London house fire as two other people remain in hospital after horror blaze

A third child has died in an east London house fire as two other people remain in hospital following the blaze. 

Emergency services were called to a house on Napier Road, East Ham, on Saturday following reports of a fire. 

A child was found dead inside the property, while another was taken to hospital but tragically later died.  

A third child was left critically ill in hospital following the inferno and detectives have sadly confirmed this morning that they have passed away. 

Two other people remain in hospital and a third person has been discharged and continues to be treated as an outpatient. 

All six people are believed to be members of the same family. Police are working to trace other relatives so they can be told.

The Met has said its officers are investigating the cause of the fire alongside London Fire Brigade colleagues. 

Whilst enquires are ongoing, the force says there is no evidence to indicate suspicious circumstances at this very early stage.

Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Burks, one of the senior officers responsible for policing Newham, said: 'It is our incredibly sad duty to report that a third child died in hospital yesterday Monday, 15 July. 

'This is news that I know will cause even more upset in what has already been a devastating incident for the local community and beyond.

'Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected. I reiterate that we 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.' 

Mayor of Newham Rokhsana Fiaz said: 'Knowing that a third precious child has now died following the house fire on Napier Road in East Ham adds to the deep grief and sadness felt by our community here.

'Three children have now died from a family, and there really are no words to express how as a community we are reeling from the shock and horror of what a house fire can do.

'On behalf of everyone in Newham, my continuing condolences to all those who know and love the family afflicted by this horrendous tragedy.

'The family was part of a tight-knit community which is now grieving and we will do all we can to extend our helping hand.'

Neighbours revealed how they desperately smashed windows in an attempt to save the children who died in the blaze on Saturday. 

Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to the blaze just before 8.30am on Saturday but frantic neighbours attempted to save the family before the emergency services arrived.

Family friend Rida Nawaz, 28, and her husband Shah Nawaz, 37, smashed the upstairs and downstairs windows to try to save those in the burning house. 

Speaking to PA News Agency at the scene on Sunday afternoon, Mrs Nawaz said: 'We can't believe this happened. There are no words to describe our feelings about them. We just wanted to save them.' 

Standing outside the house on Napier Road, Mr Nawaz said: '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, ten minutes we saw on the corner the children came.

'We saw the police running up and using CPR, giving them CPR.'

'For me and my wife, we are okay but my little three children - they study with them.'

Half of the first floor and half of the ground floor of the terraced house were damaged by the fire, which was under control by 9.10am on Saturday.

LFB's 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.

'Staff will be in the local community over the coming days to offer support and advice where needed.'

He also confirmed that firefighters would receive 'support from our counselling and trauma service'.

A fire engine and a police forensics van were seen parked at the scene in East Ham on Sunday afternoon as investigations continued.

Two windows of the house and the glass in the front door were smashed and investigations teams dressed in white forensics suits entered the building and the neighbouring property.

Members of the local community - Newham - were seen embracing and crying 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'.

Several people, including a vicar and Ms Fiaz, addressed a group of members of the community who gathered at the scene on Sunday afternoon.