Tributes paid to parents killed in fire
THE parents who died alongside their young daughter when flames swept through their home have been pictured for the first time.
Kaylie, 28, and Daniel Rudge, 29, died with four-year-old Lilly. Their three other children – boys aged four and nine, and a girl aged seven – were admitted to Bristol Children’s Hospital. Forensic police were yesterday working to establish the source of Sunday’s fire at the couple’s Exeter home.
Family and friends paid tribute to Mr and Mrs Rudge and a fundraising drive was started on behalf of their surviving children, with nearly £10,000 donated last night.
Mr Rudge’s sister Mandy, 31, said last night: ‘I’ve lost a brother, sister and niece. We were talking with them only the other day and now they’re gone.
‘Kaylie was the most beautiful person in the whole world and Daniel had the biggest heart. They would do anything for anyone.’
Flowers have been placed by the police cordon around the property by neighbours who were too upset to speak. Police said they did not believe there were suspicious circumstances around the cause of the fire.
Family friend Lauren England said: ‘We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken. They were such funny, caring and loving individuals, amazing parents to their four beautiful babies.’
Police said it would take several days to gather evidence. Chief Superintendent Daniel Evans said: ‘We are working closely with specialist scene investigators.
‘Currently there is nothing to indicate any third party involvement.’