The exterior of a row of houses, one of which shows significant fire damage, with a "FOOTWAY CLOSED" sign and barrier in the foreground.The scene 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. Police said a murder inquiry is now under way, but no arrests have been made. Picture date: Thursday August 20, 2026. PA Photo. Photo credit should read: Ben Whitley/PA Wire Credit: PA

A MAN has been charged with murder after a house fire in west London which left a woman dead and eight others in need of hospital treatment.

Officers raced to reports of a fire at a property in Hounslow, West London, in the early hours of August 19.

Terraced house with fire damage to one unit, cordoned off by police tape, with cars parked in front.A man has been charged with murder after a house fire in West London left one woman dead and eight others in hospital Credit: PA

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

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

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.”

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