Murder-accused fugitive in court over fire deaths

An alleged fugitive accused of murdering two men in a 2024 arson attack in Walthamstow, east London, has appeared at the Old Bailey.

Fouad Boudra, 25, an Algerian national, was extradited from France over the house fire in which Mohammed Djellal, 24, and Faouzi Bouchadoe, 35, died.

It is believed the fire started after a row about a mobile phone.

People upstairs in the multi-occupancy block on Forest Road jumped from first floor windows before the building was "overwhelmed" by flames, the court was told.

Joel Smith KC, for the prosecution, said Djellal and Bouchadoe, were found inside the property, "one lying in the lounge across the patio threshold, one in an upstairs bedroom close to a window".

Both men died from smoke inhalation, another man suffered from a partially collapsed lung and a fourth man was treated in hospital for burns and blisters, Smith said.

London Fire Brigade had previously said around 40 firefighters attended the scene.

An investigation concluded the fire was deliberately started in the lounge with a flame, and not a carelessly discarded cigarette or electrical fault, the court was told.

Boudra, of no fixed address, allegedly fled the scene and travelled to France where he was later arrested and extradited back to the UK.

In addition to the two murder charges, he also faces two of manslaughter, arson with intent to endanger life, and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to a third man.

He spoke only to confirm his identity and was assisted by an interpreter in the dock.

Judge Judy Khan KC remanded Boudra in custody and a trial date has been set for three weeks in January 2027.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to hello.bbclondon@bbc.co.uk