Woman and two children who died following Cambridge fire are named by police

The woman and two children who died as a result of a fire at a Cambridge home have been named by police.

Gemma Germeney, 31, died at the scene in Sackville Close, King’s Hedges, on Friday (June 30), while Lilly Peden, 8, and Oliver Peden, 4, were taken to hospital but sadly died later.

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.

Cambridgeshire police said: “Our thoughts remain with the family, friends and the local community following this tragic incident.

“We are working alongside the fire service to establish the most probable cause of the fire.”

Emergency services were called to reports of fire at the two-storey maisonette at 1.08am on Friday.

More than 30 firefighters, including crews from Cambridge, Cottenham, Cambourne, Linton, Burwell and Huntingdon, attended, along with police, ambulance and the air ambulance.

Smoke was issuing from the ground and first floor of the home when crews arrived.

They managed to extinguish the blaze before it spread to neighbouring properties and rescued the boy and girl, who were treated at the scene by firefighters and paramedics, but later died in hospital.

Area commander Stuart Smith said on Saturday: “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.”