House fire in northwest London kills 6, injures 2

House fire in northwest London kills 6, injures 2

2011-09-24 13:26:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

LONDON (BNO NEWS) -- Six people were killed on early Saturday morning when a fire ripped through a house in northwest London, officials said. Two other people were injured.

The London Fire Brigade said it was called to a home in Neasden, an area in northwest London, at around 12.50 a.m. local time after a report of a fire. Six fire engines and 30 firefighters, as well as several ambulances and police vehicles, responded to the scene.

The ground floor and first floor of the two-story semi detached house was badly damaged by the fire, which resulted in six fatalities. It is believed three of the victims may have been young children while two others may have been teenagers. The sixth fatality is believed to be an adult.

"There's no doubt, this is an absolute tragedy," said fire brigade official Glen Gorman. "My thoughts, and those of my colleagues at the London Fire Brigade, are with the friends, family and loved ones of those affected at this extremely sad and difficult time."

Two people managed to escape from the house before firefighters arrived at the scene, and both were were taken to an area hospital by ambulance for treatment. Their conditions were not immediately released.

The cause of the fire was not immediately known and is being investigated by the Metropolitan Police and the London Fire Brigade's fire investigators. "We are now working with the police to ensure a full and thorough investigation is carried out," Gorman added.

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