The four children who died in a house fire in south London were two sets of male twins aged four and three, the deputy commissioner of the London Fire Brigade has said.
Richard Mills said when firefighters arrived at the house in Sutton, the blaze was “very well-developed” and only the children were inside.
Firefighters in breathing apparatus entered the mid-terrace house in Collingwood Road, Sutton, on Thursday evening, as it was being ravaged by an “intense blaze”, before removing each of the four children and giving them CPR.
London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said their deaths had “left everyone numb with profound sadness”.
The fire was under control by 8.36pm and the cause is under investigation.
Mr Roe said: “This is an incident that has left everyone numb with profound sadness. My thoughts are with the family and friends of the children, the whole local community and all those who will be affected by this fire.
It said the children’s next of kin are aware and will be provided with specialist support.
Aaron Chown
He told reporters at the scene: “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: “On arrival there were four children in the house.”
He also confirmed the victims were all boys.
On the impact of the incident on fire crews, he said: “It’s a very traumatic event.
“They (firefighters) attended a very well-developed fire; they got there in under three minutes.
“Second two machines within seven minutes.
“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.”
London Fire Brigade deputy commissioner Richard Mills told reporters at the scene of a house fire in Sutton: “Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge the terrible tragedy that took place last night and our thoughts remain with the family, friends and community of the sad loss of life of four young children.
“Yesterday evening, shortly before 7pm, fire crews attended the scene with eight fire engines and 60 firefighters.
“We rapidly entered the building with breathing apparatus crews and rescued four children from the building. We immediately carried out CPR resuscitation at the scene.
“The children were taken to a local hospital. And, sadly, those four children died later that evening.
“The cause of the fire is currently unknown and we have fire investigation teams on scene at present along with the Metropolitan Police to determine the cause of the fire.”