Tributes to children killed in house fire
TRAGEDY: Emotional tributes have been paid to four young children who were killed when a fire ripped through their family home in the middle of the night.
Eight-year-old Riley Holt, brothers Keegan Unitt, six, and Olly Unitt, three, died in the blaze on Sycamore Lane, Stafford yesterday, alongside their sister, four-year-old Tilly Rose Unitt.
EMOTIONAL TRIBUTES have been paid to four young children who were killed when a fire ripped through their family home in the middle of the night.
Eight-year-old Riley Holt, brothers Keegan Unitt, six, and Olly Unitt, three, died in the blaze on Sycamore Lane in the Highfields area of Stafford early yesterday, alongside their sister, four-year-old Tilly Rose Unitt.
A fifth child, named locally as two-year-old Jack, escaped from a first-floor window along with his mother Natalie Unitt and her partner Chris. They remain in hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Teachers described the children as “bright, happy, loving and lively”.
Nicola Glover, head teacher at Castlechurch Primary School said: “Our entire school community is absolutely devastated by this news.
“Riley was a very confident, excitable member of school who came every day full of enthusiasm.
“He was a caring friend who hated to see anyone hurt or upset and would do his best to help or cheer them up.
“Tilly was a happy little girl who loved coming to nursery. She was a friendly and caring child who loved to read stories, dress up and paint.
“Olly was a happy, loving boy who loved cuddles. He was always happy to come to nursery and loved to be in the role play area with the dolls.”
Kim Ellis, head teacher at Marshlands Special School where Keegan was a pupil, said: “Keegan was lively, full of fun and mischief with a really endearing smile.”
Both schools said support systems were being put in place to help staff and pupils.
Floral tributes have been laid near the scene, while thousands of pounds has already been raised through crowdfunding to help support the family.
A handwritten note attached to a cuddly toy read: “RIP Babes xx life is so so cruel. All our thoughts are with the family at this very sad time.”
One note read: “Will be dearly missed, love Uncle Dave and Auntie Lou Lou”, while another added: “To my lovely grandkids I will always miss you. Love you always xxx”
An ambulance service dispatcher was among those paying their respects with a bouquet.
A note taped to the flowers said: “RIP you beautiful angels. I don’t know you personally but I was involved in last night’s incident.”
A nearby resident described how a sheet of flames engulfed an upstairs window at the semidetached property, at around 2.40am on Tuesday.
The witness, who asked not to be named, said: “We heard a bang and looked out of the back window upstairs.
“At the start it was just a sheet of fire coming out of the bedroom window. It seemed to take ages for the fire brigade to arrive – it seemed like forever.”
Local woman Amanda Blagg visited the scene to lay flowers and a teddy in memory of the children.
Wiping away tears, the 38-yearold told reporters: “I heard what had happened on the news and I just cried straight away. It’s awful.”
Fire crews remain at the scene combing for clues as to what triggered the blaze.
Part of the roof has collapsed, with the windows smashed and the inside appearing to have been blackened by smoke. Speaking from the scene, Rob Barber, deputy Chief Fire Officer for Staffordshire fire and rescue service, said: “At this time I cannot comment further on the likely cause.”
Our school community is absolutely devastated by this news.
Nicola Glover, head teacher at Castlechurch Primary School.