Electrical fault believed to have caused fire that claimed lives of two children in Eynesbury, St Neots
The house fire that claimed the lives of two children in the St Neots area was probably caused by an electrical fault, Cambridgeshire police have said.
Investigators confirmed it was not caused by Christmas lights or decorations.
The fire at the three-storey home in Buttercup Avenue, Eynesbury, broke out at about 7am on Thursday (December 10).
A three-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl were pronounced dead at the scene.
Their 35-year-old mother has been taken to hospital with life-changing injuries after leaping from a second-floor window.
Her 46-year-old partner suffered minor injuries.
A Cambridgeshire police spokesperson said: “An investigation into the fire has concluded the most probable cause was an electrical fault in a first-floor bedroom at the property.
“There are no suspicious circumstances and a file is in the process of being handed to the coroner where police involvement will end.”
A white forensic tent was put up in front of the property on Friday, with a police scientific support unit and Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service’s fire investigation dog team on scene.
Neighbours have spoken of their shock and laid floral tributes near the home.
Neighbour Peter Kellythorn, 40, said there was a smell “like something might be smouldering” when he awoke on Thursday.
“I got dressed, came outside and there was smoke billowing out from the back window,” he said.
He added that a satellite dish on the house appeared to have melted, and said: “The heat – it doesn’t bear thinking about. It’s awful.
“We hoped everyone had got out. They’re fairly new houses and they’re all fitted with fire alarms and things.
“It’s just awful.”
Firefighters have paid their respects at the scene to their family.
The fire service said: “Today the thoughts of everyone here are with the family and friends of the two young children who died in the house fire in St Neots yesterday.’
Chief Fire Officer Chris Strickland said: “This is such a devastating incident and our thoughts remain with the family.
“Crews fought tirelessly to get the fire under control and locate the children who they had been told were still in the house.
“It’s one of the toughest incidents you can attend as a firefighter and we’re looking after the crews who were there.
“But all of our thoughts are very much with the family and the local community and we’ll be in the area over the coming days providing support to residents.”
Thousands of pounds have been raised via Go Fund Me pages in a matter of hours. Visit https://uk.gofundme.com/f/buttercup-avenue-house-burnt or https://uk.gofundme.com/f/st-neots-fire-tragedy to contribute.
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St Neots fire: Two children die in Eynesbury house blaze
