A woman and two children die in fire at Sackville Close in Cambridge

A woman and two children have died following a fire in a flat in Cambridge.

The two children were rescued by firefighters and received treatment from the fire crews but tragically died later in hospital.The woman, who was in her 30s, died at the scene of the fire.

A man, also in his 30s, managed to escape before fire crews arrived and was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Emergency services were called to reports of a fire on Friday (June 30) at 1.08am on Sackville Close, King’s Hedges ward, and more than 30 firefighters attended to tackle the blaze including crews from Cambridge, Cottenham, Cambourne, Linton, Burwell and Huntingdon, attended the incident.

A fire service spokesperson said: “Crews arrived to find smoke issuing from the ground and first floor of a two-storey maisonette. Crews worked hard to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties.”

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.”

An investigation to establish the cause of the fire started yesterday and will continue over the weekend.

The fire broke out in a council tenants property in Sackville Close. Cambridge City Council said it was working to support those people directly affected, including the occupants of neighbouring properties.

A Cambridge City Council spokesperson said: “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.”

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.”