West Ham: A father and his four children were found in a burnt-out car in east London in the early hours of Sunday.

The five bodies, one adult male, two girls and two boys, were discovered in a gutted silver Nissan Primera on an industrial estate in South Crescent, West Ham.

Police have not released the identity of the victims, and are currently conducting a forensic investigation of the scene.

Detective Superintendent Jim Osbourne, from the Serious Crime Group, told the press: "Murder and suicide are a potential line of inquiry.

"The early indications are that the man found is native to this part of London. His estranged partner has been informed of the death.

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

"There has been an intense fire, the vehicle and the bodies are badly burnt."

July 15, 2002 15:30