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Mother and daughter died in fire | Mother and daughter died in fire |
(20 minutes later) | |
A woman and her young daughter have died in a blaze at their house, the fire service has said. | A woman and her young daughter have died in a blaze at their house, the fire service has said. |
More than 20 firefighters tackled the fire on the ground floor of the two-storey home in Quern Road, Deal, which broke out at about 0530 GMT. | More than 20 firefighters tackled the fire on the ground floor of the two-storey home in Quern Road, Deal, which broke out at about 0530 GMT. |
Ambulance crews attended, but the woman, thought to be in her 40s and her child, aged 10 or 11, were pronounced dead at the scene. | Ambulance crews attended, but the woman, thought to be in her 40s and her child, aged 10 or 11, were pronounced dead at the scene. |
Emergency teams said the fire was believed to be a tragic accident. | Emergency teams said the fire was believed to be a tragic accident. |
The pair were found upstairs by firefighters who quickly managed to extinguish the blaze, a spokeswoman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said. | The pair were found upstairs by firefighters who quickly managed to extinguish the blaze, a spokeswoman for Kent Fire and Rescue Service said. |
The fire started in the downstairs front room, but police and fire officers said it was speculation at this stage to suggest an electrical fault was the cause. | The fire started in the downstairs front room, but police and fire officers said it was speculation at this stage to suggest an electrical fault was the cause. |
'Smoke seen' | 'Smoke seen' |
A police spokeswoman said: "There is nothing apparently suspicious about the fire, but we cannot say that with 100% certainty, until it has been fully investigated." | |
Passers-by raised the alarm. | |
Det Insp Steve Bridges said: "Two members of the public travelling home from work this morning noticed smoke coming from the address. | Det Insp Steve Bridges said: "Two members of the public travelling home from work this morning noticed smoke coming from the address. |
"They made efforts to rouse the occupants unsuccessfully and called the fire brigade." | "They made efforts to rouse the occupants unsuccessfully and called the fire brigade." |
A neighbouring property was evacuated and the road was also closed to traffic. | A neighbouring property was evacuated and the road was also closed to traffic. |
The woman and her child were pronounced dead at the scene | |
Residents nearby said the people who had lived at the property in Quern Road for about a year, were not well known to neighbours. | Residents nearby said the people who had lived at the property in Quern Road for about a year, were not well known to neighbours. |
Neighbour Julie Glentworthy, 46, said the woman who died had two children, a daughter and a son, who must have been elsewhere when the fire broke out. | |
She said: "They kept themselves to themselves. You would hear mum and the kids shouting like any normal mum and their children. | |
"We would only see them out and about, but would never really talk to them. | |
"It's an absolute tragedy, and I'm shocked that something like this could happen round here." | |
'High-risk time' | |
Forensic experts in white suits were at the house which had 100% smoke and fire damage. | |
It was unclear whether a working smoke alarm was fitted. | |
Steve Griffiths, from Kent Fire and Rescue, reminded people to take extra care at this time of year. | Steve Griffiths, from Kent Fire and Rescue, reminded people to take extra care at this time of year. |
He said: "Generally, people are at home, cooking and enjoying themselves and it's a high risk time." | He said: "Generally, people are at home, cooking and enjoying themselves and it's a high risk time." |