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Five killed in Sheffield house fire | Five killed in Sheffield house fire |
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Five people, believed to include a baby and two children, have been killed in a house fire in Sheffield. | Five people, believed to include a baby and two children, have been killed in a house fire in Sheffield. |
The blaze broke out around midnight in a three-storey Victorian terraced house in Wake Road, in the south-western Sharrow district. | The blaze broke out around midnight in a three-storey Victorian terraced house in Wake Road, in the south-western Sharrow district. |
Ambulances and four fire engines and were called to the scene when the alarm was raised at 12.15am. An aerial ladder was used to tackle what a spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue described as a “severe” fire. | Ambulances and four fire engines and were called to the scene when the alarm was raised at 12.15am. An aerial ladder was used to tackle what a spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue described as a “severe” fire. |
The ages and identities of the five people who died have not been released. The fire service confirmed that two women and three “young” children died. | The ages and identities of the five people who died have not been released. The fire service confirmed that two women and three “young” children died. |
It is believed the women who died were the children’s aunt, Anum Parvail, 20, and her 54-year old mother, Shabina Begum. | |
Ishfaq Hussain Kayani, Parvail’s cousin, said a nine-week-old girl was among the victims. He named the other victims as nine-year-old Adhyan Nazim and his seven-year-old brother Amaan Nazim. | Ishfaq Hussain Kayani, Parvail’s cousin, said a nine-week-old girl was among the victims. He named the other victims as nine-year-old Adhyan Nazim and his seven-year-old brother Amaan Nazim. |
Kayani said: “It’s just a huge tragedy. Words cannot describe how sad this is. It’s a tragedy beyond description.” | Kayani said: “It’s just a huge tragedy. Words cannot describe how sad this is. It’s a tragedy beyond description.” |
Speaking to reporters at the scene he said the children’s parents were in shock. “They can hardly utter a word. “I’ve been with the family. It’s so sad. A couple of hours ago the whole family was leading their normal life – quite prosperous, happy. Just in a matter of minutes the whole family has been destroyed.” | Speaking to reporters at the scene he said the children’s parents were in shock. “They can hardly utter a word. “I’ve been with the family. It’s so sad. A couple of hours ago the whole family was leading their normal life – quite prosperous, happy. Just in a matter of minutes the whole family has been destroyed.” |
By dawn Wake Road was sealed off as fire investigators and forensic police officers worked at the house. | By dawn Wake Road was sealed off as fire investigators and forensic police officers worked at the house. |
Police said they were keeping an open mind as to how the fire started. A South Yorkshire police spokesman said: “At this stage we are not able to confirm where in the house the fire broke out or if anyone else was injured.” | Police said they were keeping an open mind as to how the fire started. A South Yorkshire police spokesman said: “At this stage we are not able to confirm where in the house the fire broke out or if anyone else was injured.” |
A short statement from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue added: “An investigation has commenced, involving police and fire officers, to establish the cause of the fire.” | A short statement from South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue added: “An investigation has commenced, involving police and fire officers, to establish the cause of the fire.” |
Peter Holland, the government’s chief fire and rescue adviser, described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”. Writing on Twitter he said: “Fires with fatalities on scale of last night’s incident in Sheffield are rare, making them v[ery] shocking when they occur.” | Peter Holland, the government’s chief fire and rescue adviser, described the incident as a “terrible tragedy”. Writing on Twitter he said: “Fires with fatalities on scale of last night’s incident in Sheffield are rare, making them v[ery] shocking when they occur.” |