Second man charged with murder and eight counts of attempted murder after west London house fire

A second man has been charged with murder after a woman died and eight other people were injured following 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.

The Metropolitan Police say Anna Kowalska, 50, died in hospital following the blaze, adding her next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers.

Another woman, 40, remains in hospital in a life-threatening condition, while six men and a woman have been discharged from hospital after being treated for minor injuries.

Slawomir Alama, of Hounslow, has been charged with murder, as well as 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.

The 41-year-old was arrested in Leeds on Tuesday, the Met said, where officers from London were supported by West Yorkshire Police.

Alama has been remanded to appear at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

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Pawel Kupla, of no fixed address, was charged on Monday with one count of murder, eight counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the incident.

The 34-year-old appeared at Willesden Magistrates' Court on Tuesday and will next appear at the Old Bailey on Thursday.

(c) Sky News 2026: Second man charged with murder and eight counts of attempted murder after west London house f