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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Man and two children die in fire | Man and two children die in fire |
| (41 minutes later) | |
| A father and his two young children who died in a "suspicious" house fire in Devon have been named locally. | 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 in the early hours. | Fire crews were sent to the house on Gowmans Terrace in North Tawton after receiving a call from a neighbour in the early hours. |
| 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. | 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. |
| A 59-year-old from west Devon has been arrested in connection with the fire. | A 59-year-old from west Devon has been arrested in connection with the fire. |
| The incident is being treated as suspicious and a major investigation has been launched. | 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. | 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. |
| A Home Office pathologist has arrived at the scene and a forensic investigation is being carried out. | A Home Office pathologist has arrived at the scene and a forensic investigation is being carried out. |
| 'Lovely children' | 'Lovely children' |
| Neighbours were evacuated from their homes to the local pub, the Copper Key, while up to 20 firefighters tackled the blaze. | 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 first floor of the home was destroyed. | Up to 90% of the first floor of the home was destroyed. |
| Neighbour Violet Marsh, 84, said: "I saw smoke coming out of the window, there were no flames at all. | 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. | "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. | Alison Varma works in the local pub and is a governor at the local school. |
| Ms Marsh said: "They were lovely children. | Ms Marsh said: "They were lovely children. |
| "They used to wave to me from their back garden when they were on their climbing frame." | "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. | 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'." | "I heard someone shout 'get the kids out'." |
| She said the family had lived in the area for about three years after moving from London. |