Woman held after fire kills pairs of twins

Awoman has been arrested after two sets of twin boys, aged three and four, died in a house fire in south London.

The 27-year-old has been held on suspicion of child neglect, the Met said.

Fire crews were called to a mid-terrace house in Collingwood Road, Sutton, shortly before 7pm on Thursday and found a “very well-developed” blaze, with the four boys inside.

Richard Mills, deputy commissioner of the

London Fire Brigade, told reporters yesterday: “I can confirm that they are two sets of twins, ages four and ages three.”

Asked if anyone else was in the home, he said only: “On arrival there were four children in the house.”

Scotland Yard said yesterday the boys were all related and the woman remained in police custody.

Firefighters entered the home, found the children and gave them CPR but they were pronounced dead in hospital.

The fire was under control by 8.36pm and the cause is under investigation.

Speaking of the firefighters Mr Mills said: “Entering a building and rescuing life is always a very difficult place to be. The age of the children, the fact they are so young, will have a profound impact on them.”

They will receive counselling, he added.

Floral tributes were laid at the police cordon on Collingwood Road, with a message on one reading:

“To Kyson Bryson Leyton + Logan. Sleep well. Love Grandad.”

Police were seen going in and out of the property, where the once-white facade was blackened.

Superintendent Rob Shepherd said on Thursday: “We remain on scene with our emergency service colleagues and will be working through the night

and beyond. At this very early stage the cause of the fire is unknown and will be investigated.”

The four children who died in the fire were “so well behaved” and “polite”, according to a woman who works at a nearby shop.

The 24-year-old said the two sets of twin boys often came in with their mother.

She said: “They were always all holding hands, they were so well behaved, so polite.”

Westbourne Primary School in Sutton said they were “devastated” by the deaths of the children, two of whom were pupils there.

Home Secretary Priti Patel tweeted: “I am being kept updated by the emergency services.”

EVIDENCE: Fire investigators at the scene in Sutton where two sets of twin boys died.