A Pakistani mother and her three children were revealed to have died in a house fire in London as police arrested an individual on suspicion of murder.

Police were called to help the local fire brigade respond to a fire at a home in Stonebridge at around 1:22 a.m. on May 24, 2025. Authorities said that the victims have all been identified as members of the same family.

They were 43-year-old Nusray Usman, her daughter, 15-year-old Maryam Mikaiel, and her two sons, eight-year-old Musa Usman and four-year-old Raees Usman. Officials also found two other individuals, a woman in her 70s and a 13-year-old girl, who were transferred to the hospital.

Police noted that they arrested a 41-year-old man who was at the scene and is believed to be connected to the tragic incident. The man was later released from police custody but was later detained once more under the Mental Health Act, according to People.

This particular law permits a person to be placed in detainment or be treated without their consent. In a press release on May 24, 2025, London Fire Brigade Assistant Commissioner Keeley Foster described the incident as being "extremely tragic."

He added that when firefighters arrived at the scene, they found a well-developed fire engulfing the home. Foster said that fire crews wore breathing apparatuses to rescue the woman and one of the children from the second floor, but they were later pronounced dead at the scene.

Neighbors said that the deceased family members were of Pakistani origin and had been living in the United Kingdom for more than two decades. When the fire was reported, eight fire engines and roughly 70 firefighters responded to the scene, the Daily Times reported.

So far, authorities have not yet determined the cause of the fire but investigators and homicide detectives are working hand-in-hand on the case. One neighbor, 38-year-old Mohamed Labidi, said the family who died were good people.

Another resident said they heard screaming and breaking glass and quickly came outside their home to check what was going on. Superintendent Steve Allen of the Metropolitan said the incident was extremely tragic, adding their thoughts are with the surviving family members.

Allen added that specialist officers were providing continuing support to the wider family of the victims, who have asked to remain anonymous at this time. He said that the circumstances of the case have resulted in a very complex investigation, as per the Manchester Evening News.