Najma Muhammad, a 31-year-old entrepreneur, experienced devastating loss when a fire engulfed a west London warehouse where her e-commerce hair care brand was housed. The blaze consumed years of work, including specialist equipment, product formulations, official documents, and an estimated £40,000 to £50,000 worth of new stock intended for a major relaunch.
Muhammad discovered the extent of the destruction through drone footage showing the inferno at the Oxgate Lane warehouse complex in Brent, north-west London. Approximately 150 firefighters battled the blaze for hours, and nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution. The fire, which began on June 11, was brought under control by the early morning of June 12.
The loss is particularly poignant for Muhammad, who had transitioned to full-time entrepreneurship after leaving her career as a nursing assistant on Harley Street. Her chronic inherited blood disorder, thalassemia, led to severe hair loss, insomnia, and heart palpitations, making the physically demanding role impossible. She began documenting her condition and hair recovery online, which eventually inspired her to develop her own product line.
"When I started talking about thalassemia and hair care, it went viral," Muhammad stated. "People connected with the story because it wasn't just about hair. It was about confidence, self-love and living with a hidden illness."
Her business, built over two years, encompassed everything from initial equipment to product formulation in a dedicated lab. The destroyed stock was poised for a new product line launch that summer. "All of that stock was sitting there ready to go. I never even got the chance to launch it," she said.
Following the fire, Muhammad shared the news on TikTok, where her online community offered significant support. Customers suggested opening pre-orders, offered space at pop-up markets, and proposed fundraising campaigns. Suppliers who had established strong relationships with Muhammad also offered assistance.
Many of the approximately 250 tenants across the three warehouse buildings suffered extensive losses, with Muhammad estimating that at least 100 businesses lost everything. Tenants have formed an online support group to share updates and provide emotional support during the ongoing investigations. The building has been declared unsafe, and insurance and lease matters are on hold.
Despite the devastation, Muhammad expressed determination to rebuild, stating, "Everything physical is gone, but the community isn't gone. The people who supported me before the fire are still here. That's what's giving me hope."
The cause of the fire has been recorded as undetermined, according to the London Fire Brigade. No injuries were reported in connection with the incident.
