Man charged with murder and eight counts of attempted murder after house fire in west London

A man has been charged with murder after a woman died and eight other people were injured in a house fire in west London.

Police were called to reports of a blaze at a property on Berkeley Avenue, Hounslow, soon after 1am on 19 August.

Fifty-year-old Anna Kowalska died in hospital and another woman, 40, remains in a life-threatening condition, according to the Metropolitan Police.

Six men and one woman who were taken to hospital have been discharged after being treated for minor injuries, the force added.

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.

He is due to appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Tuesday.

Images from the scene showed a light-coloured terraced house that was blackened on the outside, with window panes peeling and part of the upstairs eaves apparently melted.

The door seemed badly affected, and the fire damage reached a neighbouring house.

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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."

(c) Sky News 2026: Man charged with murder and eight counts of attempted murder after house fire in west London