Murder probe launched after woman dies and eight injured in London house fire

A murder inquiry has been launched after a woman lost her life and a further eight people were rushed to hospital following a house fire in west London .

Emergency services were called to reports of a blaze at a property on Berkeley Avenue, Hounslow, at around 1.14am on Wednesday. A 48 year old woman died in hospital and another woman, aged 40, remains in a life-threatening condition, the Metropolitan Police confirmed that evening.

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

Images from the scene show a light-coloured terraced house badly scorched on the outside, with window panes peeling and part of the upstairs eaves apparently melted.

The front door appears severely damaged, and the fire destruction extends to the neighbouring property.

A cordon stretching approximately 50 metres was in place on Wednesday evening as forensic officers and police carried out their work on the residential street.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who is heading up the investigation, said: "Our thoughts are 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 enquiries are progressing at pace as we work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire, which we believe may have been started deliberately.

"We understand this to be an isolated incident within a residential address; however, we understand it will cause concern within the local community."