- Author, James W Kelly and PA Media
- Role, BBC News
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A second child has died following a house fire in east London, London Fire Brigade (LFB) has said.
The fire broke out on the ground and first floors of a terraced house on Napier Road in East Ham shortly before 08:30 BST on Saturday.
Neighbours described throwing bricks to break windows to help the family escape.
LFB Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said: “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 serious condition.”
The six people are believed to be members of the same family and lived in the house, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said.
They added that there was currently “no evidence indicating suspicious circumstances.”
Image source, TERRY ROBERT
No details have been released about the children’s identities or ages and officials are working to locate and notify other family members.
Chief Inspector Jonathan Burks said: “I am aware that local people will be shocked and saddened by this tragic event.”
He added that police would work with the LFB and the local council to support the family with “support and answers to their questions”.
Shah Nawaz said he was among those who tried to break the windows of the house.
“Someone threw the big brick, the whole brick, at the window, but couldn’t break it,” he said.
“And the half brick, I hold it in my hand, I threw it… to help the family because the mother – she was near the window.”
He added: “The father came through the roof – after five, ten minutes we saw the children coming around the corner.
“We saw the police running in and performing CPR.”
Sabah Waheed, 35, described the mother of the two children who died in the house fire as a “very strong and motivated mother” and that she had saved her third child by sending him upstairs.
She said: “I’m sure she did her best to do something.
“She sent a child upstairs – she saved his life.
“But unfortunately, whatever happened, three children were seriously burned.”
She added: “This is a huge loss for the local community and very sad news among friends.”
Rokhsana Fiaz, the mayor of Newham, described the deaths of X’s two children as an “unimaginable loss”.
She added that the council would work to support the family.
