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Man and two children die in fire Man and two children die in fire
(about 2 hours later)
A man and two children have died in a "suspicious" house fire in Devon. A father and his two young children who died in a "suspicious" house fire in Devon have been named locally.
Fire crews were sent to the house on Gowmans Terrace in North Tawton after receiving a call from a neighbour just after midnight. Fire crews were sent to the house on Gowmans Terrace in North Tawton after receiving a call from a neighbour in the early hours.
The fire was extinguished by 0140 BST by around 20 firefighters. Police have not yet named the victims, although it is believed they are related. Iain Varma and his daughter Chloe, four, and Zak, seven, died at the scene. His wife, Alison, and son Lee, two, were not in the house at the time.
Police said the incidents were being treated as suspicious, and a man aged 59 from west Devon has been arrested. A 59-year-old from west Devon has been arrested in connection with the fire.
He is currently being interviewed in Charles Cross police station in Plymouth. The incident is being treated as suspicious and a major investigation has been launched.
The arrested man is currently being interviewed in Charles Cross police station in Plymouth.
A police spokesperson said he could not confirm the arrested man's address or connection to the family.A police spokesperson said he could not confirm the arrested man's address or connection to the family.
The house is currently undergoing a forensic investigation and police are trying to trace family members. A Home Office pathologist has arrived at the scene and a forensic investigation is being carried out.
'Lovely children'
Neighbours were evacuated from their homes to the local pub, the Copper Key, while up to 20 firefighters tackled the blaze.
Up to 90% of the home was destroyed.
Neighbour Violet Marsh, 84, said: "I saw smoke coming out of the window, there were no flames at all.
"I did not realise it was such a severe fire," she said.
Alison Varma works in the local pub and is a governor at the local school.
Ms Marsh said: "They were lovely children.
"They used to wave to me from their back garden when they were on their climbing frame."
Another neighbour, who would only give her name as Jo, said: "It is always a tragedy when kids are involved.
"I heard someone shout 'get the kids out'."
She said the family had lived in the area for around three years after moving from London.