A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a 48-year-old woman died following a house fire at a property in Hounslow, west London. The 34-year-old suspect was detained by Kent Police on Sunday while travelling to France by train, and he remains in custody as the Metropolitan Police continue their investigation. The case has drawn attention both for the severity of the incident, which left nine people needing hospital treatment, and for the dramatic circumstances of the arrest as the suspect attempted to leave the country.

Emergency services were called to Berkeley Avenue at around 1.14am on Wednesday, with London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service attending alongside police. The 48-year-old victim died in hospital despite medical staff's efforts, while a 40-year-old woman remains in a life-threatening condition; the remaining seven people, six men and one woman, were treated for minor injuries and discharged. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said enquiries are continuing "at pace", and the Met has appealed for witnesses or information via 101 or Crimestoppers.