Death toll rises to four after fire in West house

ASECOND child has died following a fire in a Westcountry house which had already claimed three lives.

Seven-year-old Iviee-May Hall died at Bristol Children’s Hospital last week, an inquest heard yesterday. She was left critically ill after the fire in Exeter on Sunday, February 21.

Her mother, Kaylie Rudge, 28, and her stepfather, Daniel Rudge, 29, and their four-year-old daughter, Lillie-Rose Rudge, died in the fire in Clayton Road in Exeter’s St David’s district.

A nine-year-old boy and a fouryear-old boy – Lillie-Rose’s twin brother – have been receiving treatment at Bristol Children’s Hospital.

Chief Fire Officer at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service, Lee Howell, said: “This is incredibly sad news for all of us, and we offer our deepest condolences to the family.

“This was a tragic incident and our crews fought so bravely to save lives,” he added. “Our thoughts are with the two boys still in hospital.”

The inquest was opened and adjourned by Devon’s senior coroner, Philip Spinney, to allow time for “further enquiries” to be made, including a fire investigation report. Police are not treating the fire as suspicious.

Superintendent Antony Hart, of Devon and Cornwall Police, declared: “The circumstances of this tragic incident have touched the hearts of all of those who were involved in the emergency response, those who know the family and the wider community.

“Our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time, and they are being supported by specialist officers. We ask that the privacy of those who are grieving is respected.”