Newham house fire death leads to police investigation

Shipli Begum, 48, died in hospital after an as-yet unexplained incident at an address in Newham Way, E6.

A man was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder at the scene, then re-arrested on suspicion of murder after Mrs Begum’s death.

But the case has now been handed back to local officers, suggesting the Metropolitan Police Service has since decided her death was not suspicious.

Emergency services were called to the property at 1.05pm on Wednesday, August 28.

“Officers attended alongside the London Ambulance Service (LAS) and London Fire Brigade (LFB) and found a 48-year-old woman with significant injuries,” said a Met Police spokesperson.

“She was taken to hospital where she sadly died later the same day. Her family are aware and are being supported by specially trained officers.”

Homicide detectives originally took charge of the case.

“A 55-year-old man – who was known to the deceased – who was arrested at the scene in connection with the death remains on police bail while officers complete their enquiries,” a Met spokesperson added.

But homicide detectives have since handed the case back to the North East Borough Command Unit.

“No one else is sought and the coroner has been informed,” the force added.

The ambulance service said it was called at 1.07pm on August 28 and dispatched ambulance crews, an incident response officer and London's Air Ambulance.

“The first of our crews arrived at the scene in five minutes,” an LAS spokesperson said. “Our crews treated a woman at the scene before taking her to hospital by road.”

The fire brigade said it too was called at 1.07pm and scrambled three fire engines and 15 firefighters to the scene.

Firefighters were sent from Barking, Stratford and Leytonstone fire stations.

“Crews worked to assist emergency service partners and secure the scene,” an LFB spokesperson said.

An inquest into Mrs Begum’s death is due to be opened by at East London Coroner’s Court on Thursday, September 12.