AN ELECTRICIAN heroically smashed his way into a burning home to help save two people from a fire which killed a mum and three of her children.
Victor Pedra heard a dad crying and screaming “my children, my wife, my whole family is in there” at around 1.15am on Saturday.
Steve BellA blue teddy and flowers have been left at the scene of the fatal house fire[/caption]
PAThe flat fire killed a mother and three of her children in the middle of the night[/caption]
PAFloral tributes left at the scene in Tillett Close, in Brent, north west London[/caption]
Leticia MarieThe tragic blaze killed a mum and her three children[/caption]
He bravely ran towards the flames and broke a lower floor window to gain access to his neighbour’s house in Brent, west London.
The dad-of-two helped rescue a grandmother aged in her 70s, who has been released from hospital, and her teen granddaughter who remains in intensive care.
Victor, 33, said: “I heard the dad outside crying and screaming ‘my children, my wife, my whole family is in there’. He was in shock and couldn’t really speak.
“I had gone outside and saw people standing around watching these huge flames so I just knew I had to act. I cut my hand breaking the window.
“The grandmother and one of the daughters managed to get out safely. The only way they could escape was through the garden as the front door was blocked by the fire.
“The flames were so strong and there was smoke everywhere. I couldn’t get to the second floor where the mum and her youngest son was.
“I also had to wake up the people in the house next door before it caught fire as they were all sleeping and hadn’t realised.
“Firefighters managed to bring the mum and one of the sons out and attempted CPR for about an hour but it was no use.
“They also managed to bring the other son and eldest daughter out from the top floor but sadly it was too late for them. It was really tough to see.
“I couldn’t sleep that night as I just kept hearing the screams from inside the house.”
His partner Leticia Maria, 31, added: “I was speechless. One of the firefighters was my friend but I didn’t even recognise him from the shock.
“It all happened so quickly. The fire seemed to take hold instantly. It seemed like it started from the top down because it wasn’t as strong at the bottom.
“The little girl managed to escape and was covered in black stuff from the smoke. She looked about 12-years-old.
“No one knows what caused the fire but you could hear explosions like things were popping.
“All the children must have been sleeping at that time. It’s just such a tragedy.”
Brent councillor Tariq Dar MBE named Usman Ghani, known as Ozzy, as the man who lost his wife and three children in the tragic fire.
He wrote on Facebook: “It is with profound sadness that we share the heartbreaking news of the passing of the wife and three beloved children—a daughter and two young sons—of Brother Usman Ghani in a tragic house fire in Wembley last night.
“Please remember the entire family in your heartfelt duas during this incredibly difficult time.”
The Met Police arrested a 41-year-old man who remains in custody on suspicion of murder.
Firefighters were supervising today while specialist workers secured the terraced home so detectives can investigate safely.
Six bouquets of flowers and a large blue teddy bear were left at the large police cordon surrounding the estate near Wembley Stadium.
A friend who knew the family well said: “It’s very sad. They were such loving and friendly people and will be dearly missed by everyone.
“Usman would always give me good advice. If something ran out like my milk or eggs, I would always go and borrow from them and it would never be a problem.
“He bought this house and worked very hard in a warehouse through an agency. He used to be a bus driver but had to stop due to health issues.
“The family are practising Muslims and were originally from Pakistan when Usman’s parents moved here over 25 years ago. His dad died a couple of years ago.
“I would always see the kids playing outside. It’s making me tear up thinking I will never see them again now the family is broken.
“They had just started half term and it makes me really sad thinking they won’t be going back to school.”
David Dyson – Commissioned by The SunEmergency services at the scene with the burned home behind[/caption]
PAMetropolitan Police Superintendent Steve Allen (left) and London Fire Brigade (LFB) Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster speaking to the media at scene[/caption]
PAA canopy is erected in Tillett Close, Brent, north-west London[/caption] Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
