A woman and two children have died following a house fire in Cambridge. More than 30 firefighters from across Cambridgeshire were called to the blaze in the two-storey maisonette on Sackville Close shortly after 1am on Friday morning (June 30), CambridgeshireLive reports.
Emergency services including paramedics, police and the air ambulance were also called to the scene. Two children, a boy and a girl, were rescued from the blaze by firefighters.
They were rushed to hospital but both later sadly died. A woman in her 30s was pronounced dead at the scene.
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A man in his 30s managed to escape from the flat before firefighters arrived. He suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital in a critical condition.
Area Commander Stuart Smith said: "This is a devastating and deeply upsetting incident that will touch many people. Our thoughts are with the relatives, friends and neighbours of the family. It’s just heartbreaking.
“We know this will have a huge impact on the local community and our fire safety team was in the area visiting residents yesterday to provide fire safety information and reassurance and will be returning next week.
“A fire like this is one of the toughest incidents you can attend as a firefighter and we’re looking after the welfare of all those who responded to or supported this incident.”
A Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson added: "More than 30 firefighters, including crews from Cambridge, Cottenham, Cambourne, Linton, Burwell and Huntingdon, attended the incident.
"Crews arrived to find smoke issuing from the ground and first floor of a. Crews worked hard to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties.
"An investigation to establish the cause of the fire started yesterday and will continue over the weekend."
Cllr Jenny Gawthrope Wood, Mayor of Cambridge, 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.”
