A murder investigation is under way after woman died and a further eight people were taken to hospital following a house fire in west London.

Officers were called to reports of a fire at a property on Berkeley Avenue, Hounslow, at about 1.14am on Wednesday.

A 48-year-old woman died in hospital and another woman, 40, remains in a life-threatening condition, the Metropolitan Police said that evening.

Images from the scene show a light-coloured terraced house that has been blackened on the outside, with window pains pealing and part of the upstairs eaves apparently melted.

The door appears badly affected and the fire damage reaches the neighbouring house.

A cordon stretching about 50 metres was in place on Wednesday evening as forensic officers and police worked on the residential road.

No arrests have been made.

Detective chief inspector Neil John, who is leading the investigation, said: “Our thoughts are first and foremost with the victim’s family and loved ones at this extremely difficult time, as well as everyone who has been injured.

“Our enquiries are progressing at pace as we work to establish the full circumstances surrounding the fire, which we believe may have been started deliberately.

“We understand this to be an isolated incident within a residential address; however, we understand it will cause concern within the local community.”