Cambridge flat fire: Two children and a woman die in fire

Two children and a woman have died after a fire in a flat.

Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) said more than 30 firefighters were called to Sackville Close, King's Hedges ward, Cambridge, at about 01:10 BST on Friday.

It said a boy and a girl were rescued, but died later in hospital, and a woman in her 30s died at the scene.

A man in his 30s escaped before crews arrived and remains in a critical condition in hospital.

The East of England Ambulance Service (EEAS) said an infant from an adjoining property was also taken to hospital for assessment.

CFRS area commander Stuart Smith said it was "a devastating and deeply upsetting incident that will touch many people".

"Our thoughts are with the relatives, friends and neighbours of the family," he said.

"It's just heartbreaking."

Police, ambulance, air ambulance, and fire crews from across the county were sent to the scene.

Peter Griffin, 30, who lives close by, said it was "devastating".

"We woke up... and looked out and there was kind of an orange glow coming from the flat," he said.

He said the crews were "very organised" and "seemed to get the fire under control quite quickly".

CFRS said firefighters were met with smoke coming from the ground and first floor of a two-storey building and worked to stop it spreading to neighbouring properties.

Mr Smith said it would have "a huge impact on the local community".

"Our fire safety team was in the area visiting residents yesterday to provide fire safety information and reassurance, and will be returning next week," he said.

He added that the fire service was "looking after the welfare of all those who responded to or supported this incident".

EEAS said three ambulances, three Hazardous Area Response Team vehicles, two ambulance officer vehicles and response cars from the East Anglian Air Ambulance and Essex and Herts Air Ambulance "were called out".

A representative said the service wanted to "extend its deepest sympathies to all those affected".

An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun.

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