Second man charged with murder following fatal fire in Hounslow

A second man has been charged with murder following a fire in Hounslow on Wednesday, 19 August.

An investigation was launched after police were called to an address on Berkeley Avenue, Hounslow at 01:14hrs following reports of a fire. Officers attended the scene alongside the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service, and nine people were taken to hospital.

Despite best efforts of medical staff, a 50-year-old woman, Anna Kowalska, sadly died in hospital.

Another woman, aged 40, remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition.

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

An investigation remains ongoing and Slawomir Alama, 41 (16.07.85), of Bath Road, Hounslow has since been charged with murder, eight counts of attempted murder, arson with intent to endanger life, possession of a class B drug and possession of a knife in a public place.

He has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at Willesden Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, 26 August.

The charges follow his arrest on Tuesday, 25 August in Leeds, where Met officers were supported by West Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire and Humberside Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Pawel Kupla, 34 (29.06.92), of no fixed address, was charged on Monday, 24 August with one count of murder, eight counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with this investigation.

Kulpa will next appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday, 27 August.

The investigation remains ongoing and anyone with information, or footage that may assist the investigation, is urged to contact police on 101, quoting CAD 359/19Aug.

Alternatively, information can be provided anonymously via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or online at crimestoppers-uk.org.