House fire - Kings Hedges ward - Cambridge

30/06/2023 1.08AM

On Friday (30) at 1.08am, emergency services were called to reports of a flat fire on Sackville Close, King’s Hedges ward, Cambridge. Police, ambulance and air ambulance partners also responded.

More than 30 firefighters, including crews from Cambridge, Cottenham, Cambourne, Linton, Burwell and Huntingdon, attended the incident.

Crews arrived to find smoke issuing from the ground and first floor of a two-storey maisonette. Crews worked hard to extinguish the fire and prevent it from spreading to neighbouring properties.

A man in his 30s managed to escape the flat before crews arrived, however he suffered serious injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains in a critical condition.

Two children, a boy and a girl, were rescued by firefighters. They received treatment at the scene by firefighters and paramedics but tragically both later died in hospital.

Sadly, a woman in her 30s also died at the scene.

Area Commander Stuart Smith said: "This is a devastating and deeply upsetting incident that will touch many people. Our thoughts are with the relatives, friends and neighbours of the family. It’s just heartbreaking.

“We know this will have a huge impact on the local community and our fire safety team was in the area visiting residents yesterday to provide fire safety information and reassurance and will be returning next week.

“A fire like this is one of the toughest incidents you can attend as a firefighter and we’re looking after the welfare of all those who responded to or supported this incident.”

An investigation to establish the cause of the fire started yesterday and will continue over the weekend.

Update - July 2, 4pm

Cambridgeshire Constabulary has released further details about the victims involved in this incident. This can be found on their website:

https://www.cambs.police.uk/news/cambridgeshire/news/2023/june/victims-of-cambridge-fire-named/

Update - July 3, 2.30pm

The fire investigation has concluded the most probable cause of the fire was accidental. 

More info is available here: https://www.cambsfire.gov.uk/news-and-incidents/news/2023-07-03-fire-investigation-concludes-and-most-probable-cause-identified