Sutton fire: Woman arrested over tragic house blaze which killed four young children

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said: “This is an incident that has left everyone numb with profound sadness.”
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A woman has been arrested after the house fire in Sutton which killed four young children - aged between three and four.

Scotland Yard said a 27-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect and remains in police custody.

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Four boys - two aged three and two aged four - have died. They are all related, and neighbours said were both pairs of twins.

A message on flowers, from someone called “granddad”, said: “To Kyson, Bryson, Leyton and Logan, sleep well.”

Police added that the cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Flowers left for the boys in Sutton. Credit: Lynn RuskFlowers left for the boys in Sutton. Credit: Lynn Rusk
Flowers left for the boys in Sutton. Credit: Lynn Rusk

London fire commissioner Andy Roe said: “This is an incident that has left everyone numb with profound sadness.”

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Brave firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the house and rescued four young children.

They were given immediate CPR by emergency services at the scene, including paramedics.

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All four children were rushed to two hospitals in south London where sadly they died.

A woman, 24, who claimed she was a friend of the family, said the two sets of boys were twins

She said: “They are not left on their own, she [the mother] wouldn’t have done it.

“She was such a nice woman.

“The kids, the respect they have, the niceness they have.

“They were always all holding hands, walking up the high street, they would always do as they were told.

Police work at the scene where four young boys have died in a fire. Credit: Lynn RuskPolice work at the scene where four young boys have died in a fire. Credit: Lynn Rusk
Police work at the scene where four young boys have died in a fire. Credit: Lynn Rusk

“They were so well behaved, so polite and so was she.

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“When I heard about them [the boys] I had to stop my work and sit down.

“I’ve got a five-year-old son so it hits a lot more.

“I don’t believe she would have left her kids on her own, knowing her.”

The scene will remain sealed off, and road blocks are in place.

Supt Rob Shepherd said: “The thoughts of everyone at the South Area Command Unit are with the family and friends of these four young children, who have suffered such a devastating and tragic loss tonight.

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“I know these sentiments will be shared by the local community, Sutton and London as a whole.

“We remain on scene with our emergency service colleagues and will be working through the night and beyond.

London Fire Brigade Commissioner Andy Roe with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, earlier in the year. Credit: DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesLondon Fire Brigade Commissioner Andy Roe with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, earlier in the year. Credit: DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
London Fire Brigade Commissioner Andy Roe with Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, earlier in the year. Credit: DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

“At this very early stage the cause of the fire is unknown and will be investigated.”

While London fire commissioner Roe said: “This is an incident that has left everyone numb with profound sadness.

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“My thoughts are with the family and friends of the children, the whole local community and all those who will be affected by this fire.

“Fire crews arrived quickly and located the children inside the property.

“They were brought out of the house and given immediate emergency care.

“The welfare of our staff involved in this incident is very important to us and all of them will be offered counselling as a priority.”

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