Stoke Newington: Murder arrest as charity worker found stabbed to death in house after gas explosion
The London Fire Brigade said 40 firefighters and six fire engines were called to the two-storey terraced house, where Annabel Rook was pronounced dead at the scene.
Tuesday 17 June 2025 15:40, UK
A woman found stabbed to death inside a house following a gas explosion in northeast London has been named as a charity worker who supported refugees.
Annabel Rook, 46, was found fatally injured at the property on Dumont Road, Stoke Newington, just before 5am on Tuesday.
She worked for a charity she co-founded called Mama Suze CIC, which supported refugee and migrant women - some who had fled domestic violence - with art and drama activities.
The Metropolitan Police said a 44-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.
A statement added: "He was taken to hospital with slash wounds where he currently remains. His condition is not life-changing or life-threatening."
Police said it is believed Ms Rook's death to be "a domestic-related incident".
Officers were called just before 5am on Tuesday morning to reports of a gas explosion with a person trapped inside.
Neighbours said the explosion sounded "like somebody dropped a massive glass cabinet from a crane".
A man who didn't wish to be named said: "I looked out and saw panes of glass on the floor. You could tell it wasn't a car window.
"Eventually I noticed the beam on the bay window was missing and could see some mild smoke coming out of the back."
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Plants, wooden shutters and glass could be seen scattered across the street - with another eyewitness saying the blast woke them up, with "everybody on the street coming out in their pyjamas".
Two children, aged seven and nine, were taken to hospital as a precaution, but are not thought to have been inside the property at the time.
According to the London Fire Brigade, 40 firefighters and six fire engines were called to the two-storey terraced house, including crews from Stoke Newington, Holloway, Islington and Homerton.
Ms Rook was pronounced dead at the scene.
Motorists were being urged to avoid the area as investigations continue, as road closures remain in place and additional officers are on patrol.
It took an hour for fire crews to bring the incident under control.