A woman has been arrested following a house fire in Wolverhampton on Friday in which two young children died.
Two boys aged one and three, were pronounced dead at the scene of the fatal house fire in Mason Street at around 8.30pm yesterday evening.
The woman in her 30s remains in custody as investigations continue into the blaze and the boys family is being supported by West Midlands Police officers.
Two other children, and a woman, were already out of the house, on Mason Street, before emergency services arrived. Police said they were checked over by medics, but did not need hospital treatment.
Police have cordoned off the end-of-terrace house, which was extensively damaged, while they work with the fire service to establish the cause of the fire.
CCTV from the area is being retrieved and reviewed and officers are doing door-to-door enquiries.
Officers have said a cordon at the scene is likely to remain in place for some time and thanked the local residents for their understanding.
Detective Chief Inspector Kylie Westlake, from the public protection unit at West Midlands Police, said: “This is a truly tragic incident and our thoughts remain very much with those who loved the children who have been lost.
“We understand the shock and distress this awful incident will have caused to many people and we are working at pace to ascertain exactly what has happened.
“Officers have arrested a woman on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of two children.
“While we would ask people not to speculate about this or the wider incident, we would ask that anyone who can help with our enquiries, and who is yet to speak with us, to get in contact.”
On Saturday morning, forensic officers could be seen entering the property wearing protective equipment.
The walls of the house appeared scorched, while two ground-floor windows were open and blackened with smoke.
Photographs appear to show a smashed window on the first floor of the property, and a mattress lying on the road outside, alongside various debris.
In a statement, West Midlands Fire Service said crews arrived within five minutes of receiving reports.
“Our thoughts are with the children’s loved ones and all those impacted by this heartbreaking incident,” the fire service said.
