A woman, 48, died in hospital after a fire at a property in Hounslow, west London, in the early hours of Wednesday (August 19)Fire damage to a property following a fire on Berkeley Avenue in Hounslow, in which a 48-year-old woman died and a further eight people were taken to hospital. The 48-year-old woman died in hospital, while another woman, 40, remains in a life-threatening condition. Police said a murder inquiry is now under way, but no arrests have been made. Picture date: Wednesday August 19, 2026.

Officers were called to a property on Berkeley Avenue at just after 1am (Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)

A murder inquiry has been launched after a 48 year old woman lost her life and eight further people were hospitalised following a blaze at a property in Hounslow in the early hours of Wednesday, the Metropolitan Police has confirmed.

Officers were called to a property on Berkeley Avenue at just after 1am following reports of a fire. A woman died in hospital, while another woman, aged 40, remains in a life-threatening condition.

Pictures from the scene show a light-coloured terraced house with severe exterior blackening and damage, with part of the upstairs eaves apparently melted. Forensic officers and police were carrying out work on the residential street.

Police outside a fire damaged property following a fire on Berkeley Avenue in Hounslow, in which a 48-year-old woman died and a further eight people were taken to hospital. The 48-year-old woman died in hospital, while another woman, 40, remains in a life-threatening condition. Police said a murder inquiry is now under way, but no arrests have been made. Picture date: Wednesday August 19, 2026.

Pictures from the scene show a light-coloured terraced house with severe exterior blackening and damage(Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)

The force confirmed that six men and one woman who were taken to hospital have since been discharged with minor injuries. Police have confirmed that a murder investigation is now under way, though no arrests have been made at this stage.

Detective Chief Inspector Neil John, who is heading up the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time, as well as everyone who has been injured.

“Our enquiries are progressing at pace as we work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire, which we believe may have been started deliberately.

“We understand this to be an isolated incident within a residential address; however, we understand it will cause concern within the local community.”

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Police at the scene of a fire on Berkeley Avenue in Hounslow, in which a 48-year-old woman died and a further eight people were taken to hospital. The 48-year-old woman died in hospital, while another woman, 40, remains in a life-threatening condition. Police said a murder inquiry is now under way, but no arrests have been made. Picture date: Wednesday August 19, 2026.

Police said a murder inquiry is now under way(Image: © 2026 PA Media, All Rights Reserved)