Man charged with murder and eight attempted murders after London house fire

A man has been charged with murder after a house fire in west London which left a woman dead and hospitalised eight others.

Pawel Kulpa, 34, has been charged with one count of murder, eight counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

Officers were called to reports of a fire at a property on Berkeley Avenue, Hounslow, at about 1.14am on August 19.

The London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service were also in attendance.

Nine people were taken to hospital as a result of their injuries.

A 48-year-old woman died in hospital and another woman, 40, remains in a life-threatening condition.

The remaining seven people - six men and one woman – have since been discharged after receiving treatment for minor injuries.

A murder investigation was launched soon afterwards and the Crown Prosecution Service said on Monday that Kulpa had been charged.

He will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on August 25.

The Metropolitan Police have said the other six men and one woman who were taken to hospital have since been discharged with minor injuries.

Images from the scene show a light-coloured terraced house that has been blackened on the outside, with the window panes peeling.

Lisa Ramsarran, chief crown prosecutor in London North said: “The Crown Prosecution Service has decided to prosecute Pawel Kulpa for murder, attempted murder and arson following a fatal fire in Hounslow, west London which resulted in the murder of a 48-year-old woman and the injury of eight others at approximately 1am on Wednesday 19 August.

“Our prosecutors have worked to establish that there is sufficient evidence to pursue criminal proceedings.

“We have worked closely with the Metropolitan Police to bring this case to court, and we will continue working with them as their investigation progresses.

“Mr Kulpa will appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 25 August.

“We remind all concerned that proceedings against the defendant are active and he has the right to a fair trial.

“It is vital that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information online which could in any way prejudice these proceedings.”