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/devon/6717755.stm
The article has changed 10 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Man and two children die in fire | Man and two children die in fire |
| (20 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, 34, and Chloe, four, died at the scene. Zak, eight, died upon arrival at hospital. His wife, Alison, and son Lee, two, were not there. | Iain Varma, 34, and Chloe, four, died at the scene. Zak, eight, died upon arrival at hospital. His wife, Alison, and son Lee, two, were not there. |
| A 59-year-old man from 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. |
| They were lovely children - they used to wave to me from their back garden Violet Marsh, neighbour | |
| 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. |
| Mrs Varma, who works in the local pub and is a governor at the nearby school, was said to be traumatised by the incident. | |
| Homes evacuated | |
| 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. | |
| "They were lovely children. They used to wave to me from their back garden when they were on their climbing frame." | |
| Ch Supt Barry Marsden said they were keeping an open mind into the investigation and had called for anyone with information about the family at the address to call Crimestoppers. | Ch Supt Barry Marsden said they were keeping an open mind into the investigation and had called for anyone with information about the family at the address to call Crimestoppers. |
| 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. |
| Neighbouring homes were evacuated and people taken 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. |
| 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. | She said the family had lived in the area for about three years after moving from London. |