A FATHER has died in hospital after his family were caught in a fire in Wealdstone last week.

Santosh Benjamin passed away on Sunday after more than three days in intensive care following the blaze at his house in Grant Road at around 4am on Thursday.

Puran Persaud, 75, who lives opposite the family, said: “Everybody is very upset in the street and very sorry to hear about it.

“Somebody came across and told us, I think it was a friend.”

He told the Harrow Times he knew the family well having been neighbours for around five years.

Santosh and wife Jennifer went to Wealdstone Baptist Church, in High Street, Wealdstone, and prayers were said for the family at the service on Sunday.

Neighbours said the couple passed their children out of the house while the fire was still blazing but firefighters had to rescue them from the burning building.

Jennifer is said to still be in hospital and her condition has not changed.

A inquest is expected to be opened into Santosh's death next week.

Around six fire engines and 30 firefighters fought the blaze in the kitchen of the house, and managed to get it under control in around an hour-and-a-half without it spreading beyond the ground floor.

The family were all taken to hospital by ambulance and the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Mr Persaud said after the fire on Thursday: “We saw the fire brigade bringing them out of the house. It was a husband and wife and two children.

“There was smoke coming out of the house, there was quite a lot. It was very upsetting. We've known them about five years.”

Did you know Santosh? Contact Jack Royston on 07824 530 112 or email jroyston@london.newsquest.co.uk to leave a tribute.