THE CHILDREN of a mum who was stabbed to death before the house exploded are understood to have been at a sleepover when the tragedy unfolded.
Charity worker Annabel Rook was discovered in the London home after the street “shook” from a suspected gas blast.
The 46-year-old mum was a “truly kind and gentle soul”, her neighbours said.
A friend of the family said her two sons were at a sleepover on Tuesday when she died.
They told The Standard: “We know them well. Our kids are in the same class. The school is on the corner. We are all here because of the school.
“They have two little boys. The kids were out at a sleepover. We know the family from birthday parties, everything.”
A mother-of-two, Annabel supported women who are survivors of gender based violence, female migrants and child refugees for two decades.
A 44-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
He was taken to hospital with slash wounds where he currently remains. His condition is not life-changing or life-threatening.
Some 40 firefighters scrambled to the scene to put out a blaze which started an hour after neighbours heard “massive bangs” from the peaceful family home in Stoke Newington, North London.
Two children, aged seven and nine, were taken to hospital as a precaution, but are not currently believed to have been in the building during the explosion.
Cops said: “We do believe this to be a domestic-related incident.”
Ms Rook was the co-founder and head of the refugee and women’s charity MamaSuze, and had worked with “marginalised and displaced people” for more than two decades.
Neighbours in the leafy London suburb told The Sun they heard a “massive bang” before paramedics attempted to resuscitate Ms Rook on the street outside her £1million home.
One said: “I knew them and their kids very well. We are in complete shock. Our daughter was their babysitter.
“Smoke was billowing around the street and we had to shut all our windows.
“It is lucky nothing happened to nobody else.”
Ms Rook was the head of several special projects at the accomplished charity including its well-regarded theatre productions.
In a post on social media, she had written: “I have been working with marginalised and displaced people for over 20 years.
“I believe the ability to play and create should be a fundamental human right and in my work I aim to enable people to be creative and help them find their voice.
“At MamaSuze, we strive to create a joyful, inclusive space dedicated to enhancing the lives of women and children who are survivors of forced displacement and gender based violence.
“We build a strong community through offering diverse workshops in different art forms that nurture creativity, foster social connections and rebuild confidence and identity.”
Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing in the local area, said: “This is an extremely tragic incident and our thoughts are with the victim’s family at this very difficult time.
“Our officers arrested a man on suspicion of murder at the scene and will be conducting interviews as soon as possible, to establish the full circumstances that led to Annabel’s death.
“While enquiries continue, at this early stage we do believe this to be a domestic-related incident.
“We understand what happened will cause concern within the Hackney community and residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area, along with a crime scene, as we carry out the investigation.
“We are working closely alongside our partners at Hackney Council to help support those residents locally who have been impacted by this.”
The Metropolitan Police said: “A woman aged 46 was found inside the property with stab wounds.
“Despite the efforts of paramedics, she was sadly declared dead at the scene.
“A 44-year-old man was arrested at the address on suspicion of murder.
“He was taken to hospital with slash wounds where he currently remains. His condition is not life-changing or life-threatening.
“Two children aged nine and seven have also been taken to hospital as a precaution but are not believed to have been inside the property at the time of the gas explosion.”
LFB station commander Darren McTernan said: “Motorists and pedestrians are advised to avoid the area for most of this morning while investigations into the cause of this incident are carried out.
“There are road closures in place on Stoke Newington Church Street from the junction of the A10 to Defoe Road.
“Residents should also note that Kersley Road is completely shut at this time.”
Crews from Stoke Newington, Islington, Homerton and Holloway fire stations were called to the scene.
The Met and London Fire Brigade (LFB) are investigating the cause.
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call police on 101 quoting CAD 926/17June or to remain anonymous call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
