A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of his partner, Annabel Rook, who was found stabbed following a gas explosion at her London home in Stoke Newington. Ms Rook, 46, was discovered with multiple stab wounds in the living room of a house on Dumont Road on June 17. Clifton George, 44, of the same address, was charged with her murder as well as arson with intent to endanger life. During his court appearance at Thames Magistrates’ Court, George confirmed only his personal details before being remanded in custody ahead of a hearing at the Old Bailey.

Annabel Rook was co-founder of MamaSuze, a charity dedicated to supporting victims of forced displacement and gender-based violence through arts-based programmes. The organisation paid tribute to her as a “shining light” who committed two decades to improving the lives of vulnerable women and children. Prosecutor Cathryn Evans highlighted her dedication, describing how Ms Rook brought joy and creativity to marginalised communities. Her family, struggling to come to terms with the tragedy, released a statement urging privacy while remembering her as a wonderful woman whose life’s work impacted many, from refugee camps in Africa to London.

The police and fire services responded to reports of a gas explosion at the Dumont Road property in the early hours, finding the front bay window completely blown out and debris scattered across the street. Two children, aged seven and nine, were taken to hospital as a precaution but are not believed to have been inside at the time. Six fire engines and 40 firefighters attended the scene. Clifton George was arrested shortly after officers arrived, sustaining slash injuries that required hospital treatment before he was placed into custody.

This incident is part of a disturbing pattern of gas explosions linked to residential fires in London in recent years. Similar tragic events have occurred, such as the fatal gas explosion at a flat in Harrow in 2018, which resulted in a woman’s death and partial building collapse. More recently, a December 2024 blast in Ilford destroyed a home and injured two people, highlighting ongoing concerns around gas safety and the potentially devastating consequences of leaks. Authorities typically launch thorough investigations into such incidents, focusing on causes and prevention.

The broader context of fire safety in London also recalls the 2017 Grenfell Tower disaster, where failures in building regulations and government oversight led to a deadly blaze. An inquiry into Grenfell concluded that deaths were avoidable and criticised systemic incompetence and greed. While prosecutions related to Grenfell are unlikely before late 2026, the tragedy has intensified scrutiny on fire safety standards nationwide.

As the investigation into Ms Rook’s death and the house explosion continues, police have appealed for the public to avoid speculation and respect the family’s privacy during this difficult time. Acting Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke expressed thanks to the Hackney community for its support and underlined the ongoing commitment to securing justice for Annabel Rook.

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Source: Noah Wire Services