A murder investigation has been opened after a fire at a residential property on Berkeley Avenue in Hounslow, west London, left a 48-year-old woman dead and nine others injured. The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the address at approximately 01:15 BST on Wednesday 20 August 2025 following reports of the blaze, and detectives believe the fire may have been started deliberately.
Nine people in total, six men and three women, were taken to hospital following the incident. The 48-year-old woman died after being admitted, while a 40-year-old woman remains in a life-threatening condition. The remaining seven patients were treated for minor injuries and have since been discharged.
What are police doing to establish what happened?
Detectives are working to piece together the circumstances that led to the fire, with the Metropolitan Police confirming no arrests have yet been made. Det Ch Insp Neil John said:
Our inquiries are progressing at pace as we work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire.
He added that the force's thoughts were with those affected, stating:
first and foremost with the victim's family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time, as well as everyone who has been injured.
According to a Metropolitan Police statement, officers are now appealing to the public for witnesses, as well as any CCTV, doorbell-camera or dashcam footage that could assist the investigation. Separately, a local news outlet reports that anyone with relevant information has been asked to contact police on 101, quoting the reference CAD 359/19Aug, or to pass on details anonymously via Crimestoppers.
How did emergency services respond?
The London Ambulance Service confirmed it was alerted shortly after the fire broke out and dispatched multiple crews to the scene. A spokesperson said:
We were called at 01:18 BST today to reports of a fire on Berkeley Avenue, Hounslow.
We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast-response car, an incident response officer and paramedics from our hazardous area response team.
We treated nine patients and took them all to hospital.
Is the wider area considered at risk?
Det Ch Insp Neil John said police believe the incident was confined to the single residential address and is not linked to any broader threat. Officers are expected to remain visible in the Berkeley Avenue area while the investigation continues, and further updates are anticipated as detectives establish more details about how the fire started.
What happens next?
Investigators say enquiries are ongoing and that officers will stay in the vicinity of Berkeley Avenue as the case develops, according to the local report. No timeline has been given for any arrests, and the Metropolitan Police has indicated that further public appeals for information are likely as the murder investigation progresses.
- A 48-year-old woman died in hospital after a fire at a residential address on Berkeley Avenue, Hounslow, at around 01:15 BST on Wednesday 20 August 2025.
- Nine people, six men and three women, were hospitalised; a 40-year-old woman remains in a life-threatening condition.
- Police believe the fire may have been started deliberately, though no arrests have been made.
- Officers are appealing for witnesses and CCTV, doorbell and dashcam footage; the public can call 101 quoting CAD 359/19Aug or contact Crimestoppers anonymously.
- Police say the incident appears isolated to the one address, but officers will remain in the area as the investigation continues.
