Four children still alive when deadly car fire started

FOUR children found dead in a burnt-out car were alive when the fire started, it was confirmed yesterday.

Postmortems revealed the full horror of their ordeal, showing they died from severe burns and smoke inhalation.

The children were found with their father Claude Mubiangagh, 38, in a burnt-out silver Nissan Primera on Sunday on a lonely industrial estate in South Crescent, West Ham, east London.

It is thought he set light to the car, killing himself and his sons Chriony, seven, and Aaron, three, and his daughters Alpha, 12, and Cindy, nine.

Chriony Kio for short and Cindy were pupils at Elmhurst primary school in east London and their elder sister Alpha left the school last year.

The school was yesterday awaiting official confirmation of the children's identities from police.

Detectives are investigating what is believed to be a suicide note written by Mr Mubiangagh to his wife Chantelle, in which he said he wanted to "take his children with him".

They are also looking at his marital and custody arrangements for the children. He is believed to have split from his wife several months ago.

The couple came to Britain from Congo more than 10 years ago.

Neighbours said they were devastated by the tragedy. Grace Omia, 31, weeping as she lay flowers at the scene, said: "He loved his family so much. I don't know what was the motive.

"We are all in shock.

"I saw him last month and he seemed OK there were no problems that I knew of with his wife.

"He was a quiet, calm, happy person, I don't understand how a lovely man can do something like this."

Her sister, Cissy Owschi, said: "It's a tragedy, I don't know what has happened."

Mrs Mubiangagh was told of the deaths by police and had to be sedated. The note her estranged husband wrote to her asked for her forgiveness and explained that he was giving her freedom.

Detective Superintendent Jim Osbourne said: "Murder and suicide are a potential line of inquiry.

"The man's marital history and custody arrangements will be one aspect of our inquiries.

Mr Osbourne said emergency services were called to the scene at 12.45am on Sunday after a witness passing through the area saw a car alight.

Forensics experts and a Home Office pathologist examined the scene and officers have been retrieving CCTV images from the area.

The bodies were removed late on Sunday afternoon in a private ambulance with blacked-out windows.

The car was taken away shortly afterwards. Its headlights were burnt out and fire damage was visible on the front and back bumpers.

"We hope there are more witnesses but it is an isolated spot," Mr Osbourne said. "The only people I would expect to find there at that time of night are courting couples, night workers and delivery companies."