Heartbroken Cambridge family raises funds for funerals after fatal fire

The family of a mother and her two children who died in a fire in Cambridge last week has said there were “no words to describe the pain and heartache we are feeling” following the loss.

In a statement from the family, who have launched a fundraising page to help pay for their loved ones’ funerals, they described Gemma Germeney, 31, who was killed in the fire t at a maisonette on Sackville Close, King’s Hedges, as ” a beautiful, kind and loving woman”.

Her children Lilly Peden, 8, and Oliver Peden, 4, were rescued and taken to hospital but sadly died later. The family said the chidlren were “the absolute sunshines of our lives”

A man in his 30s, who managed to escape the flat before firefighters arrived, suffered serious injuries and remains in hospital in a critical condition.

Now Gemma’s family has posted a heartfelt plea for help with funds for the three funerals. It has been launched on behalf of Robert Germeney and reads: “On Friday 30th June, our beautiful daughter Gemma and grandchildren Lilly and Oliver were tragically taken from us in a horrific house fire. There are no words to describe the pain and heartache we are feeling losing our only child and grandchildren.

“Gemma was a beautiful, kind and loving woman who loved her children and family dearly. She truly was a Gem to us and anyone that knew her. Lilly and Oliver were the absolute sunshines of our lives, full of love and character. They were inseparable and were always happy playing together with dinosaurs, diggas, ‘notobikes’ unicorns and horses and on their trampoline. Lilly and Oliver loved spending time with Granny and Grandad and the rest of the family.

“Please help us honour them in taking their last journey and give them the most beautiful send off they truly deserve. Our worlds will never be the same without them and our hearts are truly broken.

“We would like to thank everyone who has provided us with love and support in these unimaginable circumstances.”

Following a fire investigation, the cause of the blaze is believed to have been an electric bike left charging overnight.

Area commander Stuart Smith, from Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service, said: “Fire service and specialist fire investigators, together with police forensic teams and a fire dog, have spent the weekend carrying out a thorough investigation of the maisonette.

“A fire investigation looks for the most probable cause and in this case, we believe that to be an electric bike that was charging.”

The tragedy came just days after the Cambridge Independent reported how Cambridge’s station commander James Ball had raised the alarm about e-bikes and e-scooters being left charging overnight after another flat fire in King’s Hedges, in which an e-scooter’s battery overheated and the sleeping owners only survived thanks to a smoke alarm.

E-bike and e-scooter advice

The fire service reiterated advice on e-bike and e-scooter safety, urging users:

- To avoid charging the battery overnight

- Not to leave them charging for any longer than they need to fully charge

- To plug the cable into a main socket rather than an extension lead

- Not to cover the battery with anything while charging

- Ensure they use the battery recommended by the manufacturer

- Always use the manufacturer-approved charger for the product, and if any signs of wear and tear or damage are spotted, to buy an official replacement charger for the product from a reputable seller

- Ensure there are working smoke alarms on every floor of your home and in the room where you charge the bike/scooter.

To make a donation towards the funeral fund, visit gofundme.com