DEADLY INFERNO
Chilling moment fireworks go off as house blaze erupts killing mum & kids as cops probe whether they caused fire
The Met said the cause of the fire was under investigation, but that no arrests had been made
THIS is the chilling moment fireworks went off as a house blaze erupted killing a mum and her children - as cops launch a probe into what caused the blaze.
Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to the inferno in Channel Close, Hounslow, at 10.26pm on Sunday.
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The fire is believed to have been started by Diwali celebration fireworks.
The Met said the cause of the fire was under investigation, but that no arrests had been made.
The ground floor and first floors of the mid-terraced house were destroyed by the fire and part of the roof was also damaged.
Seema Ratra, 47, died in the blaze after flames "engulfed" the property in just ";eight seconds".
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Her three children including her baby also sadly died in the inferno, a family member told The Sun.
One man left the property before emergency crews arrived and was later taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
One person remained unaccounted for.
Neighbours had earlier seen them setting off fireworks in the garden.
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During Diwali, it is customary to light candles and launch fireworks to symbolise the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
A neighbour said: “I saw them in the garden playing with fireworks and 20 minutes later all I saw was fire.
“I saw the dad outside screaming, ‘My kids! My kids!’ — he was trying to break into the front door.
“I stopped him from going inside and about five minutes later the fire brigade were here.” Firefighters discovered the bodies on the first floor.
Flowers were left at the scene on Monday afternoon and the police cordon was still in place.
Dileep Singh, 54, raced from Manchester to Channel Close where his brother-in-law was at home with his wife, three children and two adult guests.
He said: "I received a call and came as soon as I could with my wife, we are desperate for information.
"My brother-in-law is alive but I don't know what has happened to everyone else."
Speaking at a press conference at the scene, Chief Superintendent Sean Wilson, when asked if he could rule out fireworks as a possible cause of the fatal blaze, said: "At this stage, this is being investigated both by ourselves and specialist fire officers.
"I am not ruling anything out, I don't think we are in a position to do that.
"We keep an open mind, it is such an early stage and there is an awful lot of work to be done."
Nick Marbrow, who lives on Sutton Road, with a view towards the burned-out house from his home, said he noticed an "unusual amount of smoke" on Sunday evening.
He said: "When I went to bed last night, I could see a lot of smoke.
"I could see an unusual amount of smoke, but then it is Diwali, there were fireworks going off.
"It's very unusual for this area, it's safe around here."
Ashish Sosniah, who was passing the street on his way to temple, said: "There were lots of fireworks going off for Diwali. I could see white smoke."
Mr Sosniah said that when he next passed at around 11.30pm there were emergency services at the scene.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe 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 today to offer support and advice where needed.
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"The welfare of our staff is very important and all those involved will be offered support from our counselling and trauma service."
Nearby homes were evacuated during the blaze, which was brought under control by 1.25am on Monday.
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