Simple life-saving tips have been issued to Havering residents by the borough’s fire chief after the worst blaze tragedy to hit London in a decade claimed six lives.

Muna Elmufatish, 41, her daughters Hanin Kua, 14, Basma, 13, and Amal, nine, and sons Mustafa, five, and Yehya, two, died in the horror blaze, in north west London, in the early hours of Saturday morning.

Now Trevor Meers, London Fire Brigade’s Borough Commander for Havering, urged locals to take four simple steps to keep themselves and their loved ones safe:

- Check your appliances – if you notice anything strange about any of your electrical appliances, call a repair man and never overload plug sockets.

- Get a smoke alarm – fit it and check it regularly.

- Plan your escape – know how you would get out of your home in the event of a fire.

- Get out, stay out – in the event of a fire, get out, stay out. Call the fire brigade and do not attempt to tackle the fire your self.

Trevor said: “The events of Saturday morning were an absolute tragedy. Our deepest sympathies are with the family and friends of those who died and we will continue to do all we can to stop such fires happening.”

Six fire engines and around 30 firefighters were called to the fire at the ground floor and first floor of the two-storey semi-detached home.

Dad Bassam Kua, 51, and 16-year-old sister, Nur, escaped the inferno but remain in hospital.

The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Met Police and fire investigators, although fire crews believe a chest freezer, kept in the hallway, may be to blame.