Man is charged with murder and eight counts of attempted murder after killer house fire in Hounslow: Victim is named
A 34-year-old man has been charged with murder, eight counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life following a fatal house fire in Hounslow, west London. Pawel Kupla was arrested by Kent Police on Sunday while travelling on a train to France and was remanded in custody on Monday; he is due to appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court on 25 August. The case matters as one of nine people caught in the blaze died and another remains critically ill in hospital, with the Metropolitan Police continuing an active investigation.
The fire broke out at around 1am on Wednesday 19 August on Berkeley Avenue, prompting a response from the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service alongside police. Anna Kowalska, 50, died in hospital and has now been named by police, while a 40-year-old woman remains in a life-threatening condition; the other seven victims, six men and one woman, have been discharged after treatment for minor injuries. Detective Chief Inspector Neil John said enquiries are continuing at pace, and police are appealing for witnesses or information via 101 or CrimeStoppers.
- Man, 34, charged with murder over fatal Hounslow house fire
- Victim named as Anna Kowalska, 50; one woman still critical
- Suspect arrested on France-bound train, due in court 25 August
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Anna Kowalska, 50, died and a 40-year-old woman remains critically ill after a fire tore through a house on Berkeley Avenue in Hounslow, west London, in the early hours of Wednesday 19 August. Nine people were caught up in the blaze in total; seven others, six men and one woman, were treated for minor injuries and have since been discharged from hospital. Emergency services, including the London Fire Brigade, London Ambulance Service and the Metropolitan Police, attended the scene.
A 34-year-old man, Pawel Kupla, was arrested by Kent Police on Sunday as he travelled by train towards France. He has since been charged with murder, eight counts of attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life, and was remanded in custody ahead of a court appearance.
The Metropolitan Police say their investigation is ongoing and are asking anyone with information to come forward. The case is significant given the scale of the incident, with nine people affected by a single fire and one victim killed.