This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/sussex/7666081.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Service held for fire death boys | Service held for fire death boys |
| (about 20 hours later) | |
| About 150 people have attended a church service in memory of two young boys who died in a house fire in East Sussex. | About 150 people have attended a church service in memory of two young boys who died in a house fire in East Sussex. |
| Lewis Jenkins, seven, and his brother Taylor, five, died in the fire at their terraced house in Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne, on 4 October. | Lewis Jenkins, seven, and his brother Taylor, five, died in the fire at their terraced house in Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne, on 4 October. |
| A one-hour memorial service was held at the Shinewater Community Church, close to the boys' home. | A one-hour memorial service was held at the Shinewater Community Church, close to the boys' home. |
| Their mother, Denise Goldsmith, 29, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and child neglect, before being bailed. | Their mother, Denise Goldsmith, 29, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and child neglect, before being bailed. |
| Church pastor Nigel Hewitt told the packed congregation on Sunday morning that it was with sadness that he addressed them. | Church pastor Nigel Hewitt told the packed congregation on Sunday morning that it was with sadness that he addressed them. |
| They did enjoy life, enjoyed being with their friends and playing on their bikes, we should remember those things Head teacher John Greenwood He said: "I am pleased so many of you have come to here today. | They did enjoy life, enjoyed being with their friends and playing on their bikes, we should remember those things Head teacher John Greenwood He said: "I am pleased so many of you have come to here today. |
| "It is not a happy occasion, this is a service to express our sadness at the loss of those two young children and to offer the family of Lewis and Taylor our condolences and prayers." | |
| Corinne Ayres, of the Shinewater Shaftesbury Centre, said: "The whole estate was covered in mist today and that is what it felt like all week. | Corinne Ayres, of the Shinewater Shaftesbury Centre, said: "The whole estate was covered in mist today and that is what it felt like all week. |
| "There is a blanket of grief across the estate, people are devastated." | "There is a blanket of grief across the estate, people are devastated." |
| Shinewater Primary School head teacher, John Greenwood, said the deaths of the two boys had had a profound effect on their fellow pupils and his staff. | Shinewater Primary School head teacher, John Greenwood, said the deaths of the two boys had had a profound effect on their fellow pupils and his staff. |
| 'Celebrate their lives' | 'Celebrate their lives' |
| He added: I cannot imagine what it is like for the family of Lewis and Taylor at the moment. All we can do is help to celebrate their lives. | He added: I cannot imagine what it is like for the family of Lewis and Taylor at the moment. All we can do is help to celebrate their lives. |
| "They did enjoy life, enjoyed being with their friends and playing on their bikes, we should remember those things." | "They did enjoy life, enjoyed being with their friends and playing on their bikes, we should remember those things." |
| On Friday Miss Goldsmith released a statement through her solicitor, Justin Rivett, saying that she wanted to set the record straight. | On Friday Miss Goldsmith released a statement through her solicitor, Justin Rivett, saying that she wanted to set the record straight. |
| Mr Rivett said Miss Goldsmith had "fully participated" in the investigation into the blaze and "categorically denies" being in any way responsible for the fire. | Mr Rivett said Miss Goldsmith had "fully participated" in the investigation into the blaze and "categorically denies" being in any way responsible for the fire. |
| In a statement, he said she tried to do everything she could to save her sons and was now left devastated by their loss. | In a statement, he said she tried to do everything she could to save her sons and was now left devastated by their loss. |
| Not arson | Not arson |
| Ms Goldsmith visited the scene the day after her sons died to lay flowers. | Ms Goldsmith visited the scene the day after her sons died to lay flowers. |
| She had to be restrained from entering the burnt-out property by her family. | She had to be restrained from entering the burnt-out property by her family. |
| Her sons died from inhaling fire fumes, post-mortem examinations revealed. | Her sons died from inhaling fire fumes, post-mortem examinations revealed. |
| The incident is being investigated by detectives and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. | The incident is being investigated by detectives and East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service. |
| Sussex Police are not treating the fire as arson. | Sussex Police are not treating the fire as arson. |