Hounslow fire: Dad rushed into burning home in bid to save three children who died in devastating blaze alongside mum

A FEARLESS dad rushed into his burning home in a desperate bid to save his three children - including a baby - who died in a blaze alongside their mum.

Seema Ratra, 47, died after flames - believed to have been started by Diwali celebration fireworks - "engulfed" the Hounslow, West London, home.

One adult house guest also died and another is missing, while the kids' father is in hospital with life-threatening injuries.

Neighbours said dad Aroen Kishen, 40, was outside and bravely tried to rush in to rescue his small children.

But they died with mum Seema, 47, and the visitor on Sunday night.

The family had been celebrating the Hindu festival of lights at home before the blaze broke out.

Neighbours had earlier seen them setting off fireworks in the garden.

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.

Last night, Aroen's brother-in-law Dileep Singh, 54, told The Sun: "We have no idea how he can go on after something like this."

Police were keeping an "open mind" on the cause.

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."