Second man charged with murder after house fire

A second man has been charged with murder following a fatal house fire in west London last week, the Metropolitan Police have said.

Emergency services were called to the property on Berkeley Avenue in Hounslow at about 01:15 BST on 19 August following reports of a fire. Nine people were taken to hospital.

Anna Kowalska, 50, died in hospital, and a 40-year-old woman 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.

Slawomir Alama, 41, of Bath Road, Hounslow, has been charged with murder and eight counts of attempted murder.

He has also been charged with arson with intent to endanger life, possession of a class B drug, and possession of a knife in a public place.

Alama was arrested on Tuesday in Leeds, the Met said, supported by West Yorkshire Police.

He has been remanded into custody and is due to appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

It follows the charging of Pawel Kulpa, 34, of no fixed address, who appeared on Monday accused of one count of murder, eight counts of attempted murder, and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

Kulpa is next due to appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

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