Family of five die in house fire

The fire spread through both floors

A family of five have died in a house fire in west London which could have been caused by Christmas lights.

Two adults and three children, all aged under 10, were found dead inside the house in Willenhall Drive, Hayes.

Fire investigators said it was possible the fire could have been caused by the large number of Christmas lights inside and outside of the house.

A spokesman said: "It is difficult to tell how the fire started, but we are looking into every possibility."

Neighbours who alerted the fire brigade tried to put out the flames with a garden hose.

Up to 20 firefighters worked for two hours to bring the blaze under control after it spread through most of the two-storey building.

We went outside and saw the fire. I was so scared. It was so horrible. I have only ever seen this kind of fire in films Isabelle Kiflie

One child was found with the parents on the ground floor while the other two were upstairs.

One neighbour Isabelle Kiflie, 31, said she was woken in the early hours by banging on the door.

"I had to get up to feed my baby when people started banging on the door saying `get out, get out'.

"We went outside and saw the fire. I was so scared. It was so horrible. I have only ever seen this kind of fire in films.

Windows blown out

"The children were just so lovely - so lovely. They were the nicest family - friendly with everyone. I just cannot believe it."

She said the windows had blown out and the house was now covered with plastic sheeting.

Investigation officers have been carrying out examinations at the scene to establish the cause of the fire.

Crews from Hillingdon, Southall and Heathrow were called to the blaze just before 0300 GMT on Saturday.