Coronation Crescent in Preston
(Picture: Google Street View)A man has been arrested by police investigating a house fire which left two children in a critical condition.
Emergency services were called to the blaze in Preston, Lancashire, at about 8pm on Friday, following reports of a house fire with several people trapped inside.
A Lancashire Police spokesman said a woman in her 20s, a five-year-old boy and a three-year-old girl were rescued from the building on Coronation Crescent.
The two children remain in hospital in a critical condition while the woman suffered injuries which are not thought to be life-threatening, the force said.
On Sunday, the force said a 24-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and released under investigation while inquiries continue.
The fire brigade said four engines and an aerial ladder plaform attended the fire and four people received treatment before being taken to hospital.
@Preston_Fire receiving many requests re further information on this fire in Preston last night. As always with something of this serious nature, a full multi agency investigation is underway and any update would follow its conclusion. https://t.co/Qo6Sa86bQf
— Preston Fire Station (@Preston_Fire) April 9, 2022
One witness to the blaze described how they tried to rescue the family inside the house.
Demi-Lee Carroll, 17, said two of her friends tried to break into the house but were beaten back by the flames and smoke.
She told the Sun Online: “I was in the street trying to get the mum to drop the kids down to me.
“She tried but she couldn’t do it.
“Then she jumped out herself. She told me she was pregnant and I rushed to get her some water and sit her down.”
Detective Chief Inspector Graham Hill said: “Sadly the two children are still in hospital with life-threatening injuries, and we continue to keep them and their family in our thoughts at this awful time.
“A joint investigation with Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service is ongoing and the fire is being treated as unexplained while we establish a cause.
“We continue to ask if you have any information about the incident, and have not yet spoken to police, that you contact us as soon as possible.”
Anybody with information is asked to get in touch on 101, quoting log 1305 of April 8.
