Murder investigation launched after two people died in house fire in north
A murder investigation has today been launched by Scotland Yard after two people died in a house fire in north-east London.
Detectives believe the blaze at the end of terraced home in Walthamstow, thought to have been occupied by squatters, was started deliberately.
The inferno tore through and destroyed the two-storey property on Sunday night with firefighters discovering the bodies of two people inside.
They were pronounced dead at the scene with murder detectives yet to identify two people.
Today, Met Police announced it had launched a murder investigation into the fatal fire on Forest Road.
A murder investigation has today been launched by Scotland Yard after two people died in a house fire in Walthamstow, north-east London
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters raced to the blaze in Forest Road, Walthamstow, last night where two people were pronounced dead at the scene
A passerby at the scene said: 'Those are all council houses. I heard that it was squatters living there'
It is thought there was an 'incident' outside the home before it became engulfed in flames and officers are searching for any doorbell or dashcam footage in the area.
Detective Chief Inspector Matt Webb, leading the investigation for the Met's Specialist Crime Command, said: 'We believe that there may have been an incident outside the address in Forest Road before the fire started and I am very keen to hear from anyone who witnessed something or perhaps has doorbell or dashcam footage.
'We are working hard to identify the two people who sadly died in the fire, not least so that their families and loved ones can be notified.'
Police were called at 10.42pm on Sunday, April 21 to a report of a fire at a residential address in Forest Road.
Officers attended alongside colleagues from the London Fire Brigade.
DCI Webb added: 'Two people's lives have been cut short as a result of this fire. If you have heard something or have information relating to the incident please don't hesitate to get in touch.'
Forest Road (shown in the map above) was closed off as firefighters fought to get the flames under control
Resident Donna Wiggins claimed that the house's occupants had been booted out of the property by squatters
Donna Wiggins, who has lived in Walthamstow for 26 years, said yesterday she was close friends with the former residents of the house, who passed away a few years ago.
The 46-year-old claims that the house had been inherited by her friend's son who was later booted out of the property by squatters.
She said: 'I used to know the people who lived there. The mother used to be my neighbour.
'I am not sure who the people who have passed away are. Another person I know said the son had been kicked out by squatters.
'But I haven't spoken to him since his mum's funeral.
'There was always unsavoury characters coming in and out of that house.'
Related articles
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A county judge could rule as early as Monday on Ohio’s law banning virtually a2024-05-222 Ukrainians were stabbed in Germany. Prosecutors are examining a possible political motive
BERLIN (AP) — The public prosecutor general’s office in Munich on Monday took over the investigation2024-05-22Wang, Lin move into ITTF World Cup knockout stage
11 paddlers from Team China moved into the ITTF World Cup knockout stage on Wednesday, as Wang Chuqi2024-05-22Huilongwo: a chic and historical block in Xuzhou
Huilongwo is historical and cultural block in Xuzhou city, east China's Jiangsu province. Located in2024-05-22Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26
Celebrity birthdays for the week of May 26-June 1:May 26: Sportscaster Brent Musburger is 85. Drumme2024-05-22China's travel boom buoys global expectations
Visitors watch a firework show during the opening ceremony of the 40th Harbin International Ice and2024-05-22
atest comment