A murder squad is investigating after a woman was found dead following a suspected arson attack in Kentish Town, which also saw a baby and four others dramatically saved by firefighters.

The woman, thought to be in her 60s, was pronounced dead at the scene of a blaze that broke out at a house in Lawford Road this morning shortly after 5am.

The baby was rushed to the Royal Free Hospital in Pond Street, Hampstead, to be treated for smoke inhalation.

Police said the death is being treated as suspicious and officers from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command are investigating.

A spokesman said: “There are suspicious circumstances around the seat of the fire.”

A man, three women and the baby were trapped by the flames on a flat roof at the back of the house, which has been converted into flats.

They were rescued with ladders by firefighters who were called to the fire at 5.16am.

All five were treated for smoke inhalation by the London Ambulance Service, which sent eight vehicles to the scene, and the baby was taken to hospital for further medical care.

Four crews and 21 firefighters battled to contain the blaze for more than two hours. It was under control at 7.37am.

A police spokesman said: “We await formal identification and next of kin.

“A post-mortem examination will be scheduled in due course.

“No arrests have been made. Enquires are continuing.”

A spokesman for the London Fire Brigade said: “The fire damaged the ground floor flat where sadly a woman inside was pronounced dead at the scene.

“A man, three women and a baby from flats on the first and second floors were trapped on a flat roof at the back of the house because of the fire below.

“The Brigade’s 999 control officers gave them fire survival guidance until crews arrived to bring them down to safety using a ladder.

“The cause of the fire is under investigation by the Brigade’s fire investigation unit and the Metropolitan Police.”