Murder investigation as woman dies after fire

A murder investigation is under way after a 48-year-old woman died in a fire in west London.

Officers were called to a residential address on Berkeley Avenue, Hounslow, at about 01:15 BST on Wednesday following reports of the blaze, the Metropolitan Police said.

Six men and three women were taken to hospital, where the 48-year-old woman died. Another woman, 40, is in a life-threatening condition.

The Met said no arrests had been made but officers believed the fire may have been started deliberately. Det Ch Insp Neil John said: "Our inquiries are progressing at pace as we work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire."

John said the force's thoughts were "first and foremost with the victim's family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time, as well as everyone who has been injured".

The remaining seven people have been discharged after receiving treatment for minor injuries.

John said the force understood the incident to be isolated to a residential address, but officers would remain in the area and provide updates as the investigation continues.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson said: "We were called at 01:18 BST today to reports of a fire on Berkeley Avenue, Hounslow.

"We sent resources to the scene including ambulance crews, a paramedic in a fast-response car, an incident response officer and paramedics from our hazardous area response team.

"We treated nine patients and took them all to hospital."

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