Inquest Into Tragic Fire Opens Today

Smoke killed members of a London family who died after flames engulfed their semi-detached house in a blaze that was so big that it had to be tackled by 30 firefighters at the weekend.

A police spokesman said today: "Officers are working in partnership with the London Fire Brigade to ascertain the circumstances of the fire, the cause of which is currently still under investigation."

There is speculation that the tragedy at the house in Neasden was caused by an electrical fault in an item of kitchen equipment.

However, it is known that an inquest into the deaths will take place today at Barnet Coroner's Court.

Following the fire at the house in Neasden - which left six people dead - post mortem examinations yesterday gave the cause of death for all the victims as inhalation of fire fumes.

Muna Elmufatish, 41, and her five children died in the blaze early on Saturday morning at their home in Neasden, north-west London.

The father Bassam Kua, 51, and 16-year-old daughter Nur escaped from the property but remain in hospital.

Nur's condition is now listed as critical but stable, while Mr Kua is stable.

Speaking after the fire, one neighbour said he heard a loud bang from the home of the family who are thought to be Palestinian, which sounded "like an explosion, almost like a bomb".

"We all went outside and we saw firemen looking out the window and shouting, 'there's people in there'. It was horrific," he told Sky News.

A police spokesman said their officers were alerted by the London Fire Brigade shortly after 1am on Saturday 24 September, to the fire at a house in Sonia Gardens, NW10.

The tragedy killed the mother and five of her children, named today as Muna Elmufatish, 41; Hanin Kua (girl), 14; Basma Kua (girl), 13; Amal Kua (girl), 9; Mustafa Kua (boy), 5 and Yehya Kua (boy), 2.

The fire has been deemed non-suspicious following an investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service and the Fire Brigade.

(BMcC/GK)