Family discovered dead in fire-ravaged cottage

A COUPLE and their young son have been found dead after a fire destroyed their farm cottage.

The bodies of gardener Tiago Nunes, 30, his wife Adriana, 41, and their six-year-old son, also called Tiago, were discovered in a double bed at the burnt-out property.

Police were continuing to investigate the cause of the blaze last night, but said it was too early to say whether it was an accident, suicide or if someone else was involved.

After Mr Nunes failed to turn up to work on Tuesday morning, his employer, landowner Adrian Smart, went to check on him and discovered the smouldering cottage.

The devastating blaze had apparently been burning all night without anyone noticing, leaving the cottage a blackened shell.

The couple made no attempt to raise the alarm, prompting speculation they may have been overcome by smoke in their sleep.

The small cottage, close to the town of Reigate, Surrey, sits around 300ft from the country road and has no immediate neighbours. Yesterday, the couple’s family told of their heartbreak. Mrs Nunes’ brother, Guilherme Herrera Cruz, said the pain was ‘too much’. Mr Nunes’ sister, Cecilia Nunes, said the news was causing her ‘terrible pain’.

She wrote on Facebook: ‘Brother, sister-inlaw and godson nephew you all will be in our heart and we will love you for ever.’

Mr Nunes is originally from Portugal, while his wife, who celebrated her birthday on Monday, is from Chile. Their son was a pupil at North Downs Primary School in the nearby village of Betchworth.

Specialist fire investigators and forensic experts were at the scene throughout the day yesterday.

Inspector Richard Hamlin, from Surrey Police’s Mole Valley neighbourhood team, said: ‘Surrey Police and Surrey Fire and Rescue are now joint investigating following the discovery of three bodies which have not been formally identified.

‘The occupiers’ next-of-kin have been informed.’