- The blaze broke out in East Ham, London, just before 8.30am on Saturday
- London Fire Brigade had the fire under control by 9.10am
Neighbours have revealed how they desperately smashed windows in an attempt to save two children who died in a blaze in East London on Saturday.
The Metropolitan Police said four other people remain in hospital - including a child whose condition is critical. All six people are believed to be members of the same family who lived at the house on Napier Road.
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to the blaze just before 8.30am on Saturday but frantic neighbours attempted to save the family before the emergency services arrived.
Family friend Rida Nawaz, 28, and her husband Shah Nawaz, 37, smashed the upstairs and downstairs windows to try to save those in the burning house.
Speaking to PA News Agency at the scene on Sunday afternoon, Mrs Nawaz said: 'We can't believe this happened. There are no words to describe our feelings about them. We just wanted to save them.'
Firefighters stand outside the property in East London where two children have died following a house fire - as flowers lay in tribute
Members of the public and police officers stand outside the property on Napier Road
Two children have been killed and four others remain in hospital following a blaze in a terraced house on Napier Road, East Ham
Standing outside the house on Napier Road, Mr Nawaz said: 'Someone threw the big brick, the full brick, at the window but couldn't break it.
'And the half brick, I hold in my hand, I threw it... to help the family because the mum - she was by the window.'
He added: 'The dad, he came through the roof - after five, ten minutes we saw on the corner the children came.
'We saw the police running up and using CPR, giving them CPR.'
'For me and my wife, we are okay but my little three children - they study with them.'
The traumatised neighbour spoke of how is son, aged five, was terrified to go home after witnessing the fire.
Mr Nawaz continued: 'My child lately is very distraught.
'He said he doesn't want to go home, inside and that if we go inside a fire will happen.
'The children, my children, I think they slept maybe two hours or one-ish. The day was bad, very bad.'
Residents of Napier Road are 'helping each other' after a 'very scary day'.
Another neighbour described the mother of the two children who died in the housefire as a 'very strong and motivated mum' and that she had saved her third child by sending her upstairs.
Speaking at the scene on Napier Road, Sabah Waheed, 35, said the pair had known each other for ten years.
She said: 'She was a very strong lady, always looking after her children - very strong and motivated mum and this tragedy happened - I'm sure she must have tried her best to do something.
'She sent one child upstairs - she saved her life.
'But unfortunately, whatever happened three children were seriously burned.'
She continued: 'This is a very big loss for the local community and it's very sad news among the friends.'
Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were dispatched to the blaze at around 8.30am on Saturday morning
An investigation has been launched by Metropolitan Police and London Fire Brigade
Officers are investigating the fire alongside London Fire Brigade (LFB) colleagues. At this 'early stage', they have 'no evidence to indicate suspicious circumstances' but confirmed that enquiries are ongoing.
Half of the first floor and half of the ground floor of the terraced house were damaged by the fire, which was under control by 9.10am.
LFB's Assistant Commissioner Patrick Goulbourne said: 'This is a terribly sad incident and the thoughts of all of us at London Fire Brigade are with the family, friends and all those affected at this difficult time.
'Staff will be in the local community over the coming days to offer support and advice where needed.'
He also confirmed that firefighters would receive 'support from our counselling and trauma service'.
A fire engine and a police forensics van were seen parked at the scene in East Ham on Sunday afternoon as investigations continued.
Two windows of the house and the glass in the front door were smashed and investigations teams dressed in white forensics suits entered the building and the neighbouring property.
Members of the local community - Newham - were seen embracing and crying as they gathered on the street outside where flowers were left in tribute.
Notes left with the flowers included one that read 'so sorry for your terrible loss'.
Several people, including a vicar and the local mayor, addressed a group of members of the community who gathered at the scene on Sunday afternoon.
Mayor of Newham, Rohksana Fiaz, held a bunch of flowers as she spoke to the group and paid tribute to the 'two precious angels' that lost their lives.
'We will come together, and comfort each other,' she added.
Flowers were left in tribute outside the property on Napier Road
The cause of the inferno is still under investigation
DCI Jonathan Burks, one of the senior officers responsible for policing Newham, said: 'I appreciate that local people will be shocked and saddened by this tragic event.
'We share those sentiments and will do all we can, alongside LFB, the local authority and other partners, to provide the family and local community with support and answers to their questions about this heart-breaking incident.'
