Twins aged four and three died in blaze, where they are said to have been home alone.
By Lucy Ashton
A woman has been arrested following a fire at a house in London in which four young children died.
The four boys were two sets of twins – aged four and three – and died in hospital after being treated at the scene last night.
Metropolitan Police said a 27-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of child neglect.
Firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the mid-terrace house in Collingwood Road, Sutton, yesterday evening, as it was being ravaged by an “intense blaze”.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said the deaths had “left everyone numb with profound sadness”.
The fire was under control by 8.36pm and the cause is under investigation.
Mr Roe said: “This is an incident that has left everyone numb with profound sadness. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the children, the whole local community and all those who will be affected by this fire. Fire crews arrived quickly and located the children inside the property. They were brought out of the house and given immediate emergency care.
“The welfare of our staff involved in this incident is very important to us and all of them will be offered counselling as a priority.”
The London Fire Brigade said eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were called to the scene at just before 7pm.
Superintendent Rob Shepherd said: “The thoughts of everyone at the South Area Command Unit are with the family and friends of these four young children, who have suffered such a devastating and tragic loss”.