TRIPLE TRAGEDY
Mum fighting for life after East Ham blaze doesn’t know her children, 12, 11 & 8, are dead, heartbroken pal reveals
Neighbours threw bricks at the windows in a desperate attempt to save those inside
THE mum of the three youngsters who died following a devastating house fire in East London doesn't know her children are dead, a heartbroken pal claims.
The children, 12, 11 and eight, were killed after a horror blaze broke out on the ground and first floor of a terraced house on Napier Road in East Ham, just after 8.32am on Saturday.
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Fire crews said on Saturday six people had been injured in the blaze and one of which - a child - tragically died at the scene.
Two more children have now devastating died as a result of the inferno.
Two people still remain in hospital - including the mum of the three children killed.
Neighbour and close friend of the woman, Rida Nawaz, 28, told the : "The mother is still asleep, they’ve given her medicine to sleep.
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"The father is in hospital and he is OK. He is with her. She does not know everything about the children yet.
"She’s my best friend and the third child who passed away yesterday visited to play with my kids.”
A third person has been discharged and continues to be treated as an outpatient.
The Met Police said all six people are believed to be all part of the same family and investigators currently do not believe the cause of the fire is suspicious.
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Cheerag Jetha, 42, was one of the first neighbours to realise the house was on fire.
He says he could hear the mum screaming for help through the window.
Cheerag continued: "We could see the mum in the bedroom window but she couldn’t turn back into the house as it was so full of smoke.
"People started throwing bricks at the windows to try and let air in. She was screaming for help and managed to get her head out of the window."
Firefighters arrived on the street at around 8.32am as they helped to get both parents out of two separate windows.
She was a very strong lady, always looking after her children - very strong and motivated mum and this tragedy happened - I'm sure she must have tried her best to do something
Sabah Waheed
Cheerag claims it took another five minutes before the children were found and dragged out.
A neighbour said the brave mother had tried to save her third child by sending her upstairs.
Speaking at the scene on Napier Road, Sabah Waheed, 35, said at the time the pair had known each other for 10 years.
She said: "She was a very strong lady, always looking after her children - very strong and motivated mum and this tragedy happened - I'm sure she must have tried her best to do something.
"She sent one child upstairs - she saved her life.
"But unfortunately, whatever happened three children were seriously burned."
'Profound sadness'
She added: "This is a very big loss for the local community and it's very sad news among the friends."
In a statement on Monday night, the mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, said it was with "profound sadness" she confirmed the third child's death.
Detective Chief Inspector Jonathan Burks, one of the senior officers responsible for policing Newham, said: “It is our incredibly sad duty to report that a third child died in hospital yesterday Monday, 15 July.
“This is news that I know will cause even more upset in what has already been a devastating incident for the local community and beyond.
“Our thoughts are with everyone who has been affected.
“I reiterate that we will do all we can, alongside LFB, the local authority and other partners, to provide the family and local community with support and answers to their questions."
She’s my best friend and the third child who passed away yesterday visited to play with my kids.
Rida Nawaz
Newham's mayor Rokhsana Fiaz OBE said: “Knowing that a third precious child has now died following the house fire on Napier Road in East Ham adds to the deep grief and sadness felt by our community here.
"Three children have now died from a family, and there really are no words to express how as a community we are reeling from the shock and horror of what a house fire can do.
"On behalf of everyone in Newham, my continuing condolences to all those who know and love the family afflicted by this horrendous tragedy.
“The family was part of a tight-knit community which is now grieving and we will do all we can to extend our helping hand.
"Our council staff have visited local schools attended by the children to ensure staff and pupils have access to whatever support is required.
"We are also working with London Fire Brigade to offer support and advice to the wider community who may be affected.
"We will continue to support the family and local community in whatever way we can while they come to terms with this heart-breaking loss.”
Crews from East Ham, Barking, Stratford, Ilford and surrounding fire stations attended the scene.
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The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade’s fire investigators and the Metropolitan Police Service.
Anyone with information that may assist the investigation who has yet to speak with police is asked to call 101 and quote reference 1996/13jul.
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