Children killed in 'devastating' house fire were boy and girl, aged 4 and 8

Matt Hudson's report on Saturday from the scene of the fatal fire in Cambridge

A four-year-old boy and an eight-year-old girl were killed in a "devastating" house fire, authorities confirmed as neighbours paid tribute to the family.

The children had been rescued from the fire at a two-storey maisonette, in Sackville Close in Cambridge, in the early hours of Friday, but died in hospital.

A woman in her 30s also died at the scene.

On Sunday, the two children and woman were named by police.

A man in his 30s, said to have jumped out of a window with a burnt arm. He remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Neighbours said they are deeply upset, and said they had sometimes seen the kids playing outside on a trampoline with two dogs after school.

It is understood the family's two dogs were also killed in the fire.

Flora Griffin, who lives nearby, said: "I heard the kids playing out on the trampoline and saw their dog. But no, I didn't know them personally.

"But I have seen lots of their family members coming to pay their respects.

"I did see the local headteacher as well, who was here early in the morning (on Saturday) to check on that and I can only imagine what the school are going through.

"It'll send ripples through the whole community."

She praised the efficient work of firefighters, and described seeing them sprinting up and down the street and working together to put out the fire.

More than 30 firefighters battled the fire that engulfed the maisonette in the King's Hedges area at around 1am on Friday.

Another neighbour, Libby Clark, described seeing an injured man: "I just saw a man on the floor with a burnt arm and everyone was saying he's jumped out a window. So he's jumped out the top window to get out."

She said she and her family felt scared when she was woken up by neighbours banging on her door to warn her of a house fire next door.

"I knew the kids because every day, when they're back from school, they'd be on the trampoline with the two dogs," she said. "But I don't really know them like that, but it is a sad little story."

The Mayor of Cambridge, Cllr Jenny Gawthrope Wood, said: “I know that the residents of King’s Hedges and the whole city will share my shock and sorrow at the loss of life in Sackville Close.

"To lose loved ones in such tragic circumstances is so terribly hard to bear.

“I know that our council officers will provide support wherever they can.

“I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this shocking event.”

Cambridge City Council also said in a statement: "People will be shocked and distressed to hear about this incident in their local community and we are working to provide support to those people who have been directly affected, including the occupants of neighbouring properties.

"We are also working closely with our emergency service partners and we will support their investigation into its cause.

"Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and all of the people who have been affected."

Area Commander Stuart Smith described the fire as a "devastating" and "deeply upsetting" incident.

He praised colleagues for their "determination and bravery" to try to rescue the victims.

He advised residents to make sure there are working smoke alarms on all floors of their homes, closing all doors before going to bed, and having a fire plan for the nighttime hours.

Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.

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