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Four children and their mother die in 'suspicious' house fire in Essex Four children and their mother die in suspected arson attack in Essex
(about 2 hours later)
A house fire in Essex that claimed the life of four children and their mother is being treated by police as suspicious. A mother and four of her children have died in a suspected arson attack in Essex.
Another child is in a critical condition in hospital after the blaze in Barn Mead, Harlow, in the early hours of Monday.Another child is in a critical condition in hospital after the blaze in Barn Mead, Harlow, in the early hours of Monday.
Fire crews were called to the property at 1.45am and managed to get the occupants out but a woman and three of her children were pronounced dead at Princess Alexandra hospital. The children were understood to be two boys, aged six and 13, and an 11-year-old girl. A fourth child died later at the hospital. A man was treated for minor injuries.Fire crews were called to the property at 1.45am and managed to get the occupants out but a woman and three of her children were pronounced dead at Princess Alexandra hospital. The children were understood to be two boys, aged six and 13, and an 11-year-old girl. A fourth child died later at the hospital. A man was treated for minor injuries.
David Johnson, chief fire officer for Essex county fire and rescue, said the fire was being treated as suspicious because it "developed exceptionally quickly and was exceptionally intense". The blaze, started downstairs while the family were asleep upstairs. Johnson said that the discovery of a burning car so close to the house was "beyond coincidence", even though it did not belong to the family. He said that the father was outside the house when the blaze started and was helping police with their inquiries.
The senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Rob Vinson, said: "This is the still the early stages of our investigation into the tragic deaths of five members of one family – a mother and four of her young children.The senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Rob Vinson, said: "This is the still the early stages of our investigation into the tragic deaths of five members of one family – a mother and four of her young children.
"At this time we are investigating to see whether this fire was started deliberately and need anyone with information to contact us. For the sake of the family, who are trying to come to terms with this tragic incident, I would ask for information from the public, especially in the Harlow area, to help us determine exactly what has happened.""At this time we are investigating to see whether this fire was started deliberately and need anyone with information to contact us. For the sake of the family, who are trying to come to terms with this tragic incident, I would ask for information from the public, especially in the Harlow area, to help us determine exactly what has happened."
Firefighters described the house as being "100% well alight", with flames coming from the front and back doors, when they arrived. Neighbours raised the alarm after being woken in the early hours. They reported seeing flames and smoke billowing from the house. Sharon Pavey, who has lived in the house next door for 10 years, said the family had only recent moved to the area and she believed the father worked at a hospital. "I don't think many people knew them but we are all in shock and this is very sad news," she said. Firefighters described the house as being "100% well alight", with flames coming from the front and back doors, when they arrived. Johnson said conditions were punishing, with temperatures reaching over 1000C, and that it had been a harrowing experience for the firefighters.
The incident commander, Steve Foster, said: "Crews arriving at the scene did everything they could. They were faced with a rapidly developing fire and went straight into the burning building wearing breathing apparatus to bring people out as quickly as possible. "To then save those children and try to resuscitate them, it's going to have a devastating effect on them," he said. "This is a particularly horrendous incident to have to deal with."
"Once casualties were out, they worked alongside ambulance teams to do all they could." .
He said that fire investigation teams were working with police to establish the cause of the tragedy, adding: "Our thoughts are with the family left behind." East of England ambulance service sent five ambulances and its hazardous area response team to the scene.
A spokeswoman for the service said the father was not at home when the blaze broke out. Spokesman Gary Sanderson said: "Ambulance crews worked extremely hard alongside the fire service to treat a total of seven casualties, two adults and five children, who were all conveyed to Princess Alexandra hospital.."
East of England ambulance service sent five ambulances and its hazardous area response team to the scene. Spokesman Gary Sanderson said: "Ambulance crews worked extremely hard alongside the fire service to treat a total of seven casualties, two adults and five children, who were all conveyed to Princess Alexandra hospital.