Woman arrested after two sets of ‘amazing, smart’ twins die in London fire is bailed

16 December 2021, 23:10 | Updated: 18 December 2021, 14:07

A 27-year-old woman who was arrested on suspicion of child neglect after two sets of twins died in a "tragic" house fire in south London just days before Christmas has been bailed.

The four children who died in the devastating blaze in Sutton on Thursday evening were two sets of male twins aged four and three, the deputy commissioner of the London Fire Brigade has said.

Tributes were being paid today to Kyson and Bryson aged 4, and Leyton and Logan, aged 3.

The boys' grandfather Jason Hoath posted online: "I am devastated to say that the horrendous house fire that took place in Sutton last night leading to four children loosing there life’s were my amazing smart and beautiful grandsons.

"We’re taken too soon they will always be in our hearts and thoughts. Boys I love you forever. Grandad xxx"

A woman, aged 27, who was arrested on Friday on suspicion of child neglect has since been bailed by police.

She will return to a south London police station in mid-January, the Metropolitan Police said.

The four boys all died despite the best efforts of paramedics at the scene.

Four children die in house fire in Sutton

A tribute which was left at the scene by the children's grandad, read: "To Kyson, Bryson, Leyton & Logan. Sleep well. Love Grandad."

Deputy Commissioner Richard Mills said when firefighters arrived at the house the blaze was "very well-developed" and only the children were inside.

He told reporters at the scene on Friday morning: "I can confirm that they are two sets of twins, ages four and ages three."

Asked if anyone else was in the home, he said: "On arrival there were four children in the house."

He also confirmed the victims were all boys.

Flowers laid in tribute to victims of Sutton fire as police work the scene

The fire happened at a mid-terrace house in Collingwood Road, Sutton.

It had swept over the entire ground floor of the property by the time firefighters had arrived.

The crews were called just before 7pm and firefighters brought the four children out of the property.

They were given CPR before being taken to hospital, where they were pronounced dead.

Mourners have been laying floral tributes, candles and teddy bears at the scene all day.

Reverend Frances Arnold, the priest of the local St Nicholas church, said: "It's a great shock and tragic loss of life, young children, and so we'll continue to offer our prayers for the family, the friends, the community here, the emergency services".

Matt Gray, manager of Sutton United football club, laid yellow-and-black team scarves outside the police cordon at the scene.

He said it was "such a tragic event to happen on our doorstep" and "a huge shock and obviously very devastating".

Westbourne Primary School in Sutton said it was "devastated" by the deaths of the four boys - two of whom were pupils there - in a house fire.

In a statement, it said: "Westbourne Primary School and its entire community are devastated at the news of the tragic loss of the four children; our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the family and anyone else affected by this heart-breaking event.

"We will continue to support the children, the staff, the families and the community through these very difficult times."

It took one-and-a-half hours for the fire to be brought under control, with eight fire engines and 60 firefighters having attended.

The cause of the fire is currently unknown.

London Fire Brigade commissioner Andy Roe said the deaths have "left everyone numb with profound sadness".

Commissioner Mr Roe said: "My thoughts are with the family and friends of the children, the whole local community and all those who will be affected by this fire.

"Fire crews arrived quickly and located the children inside the property. They were brought out of the house and given immediate emergency care."

Mr Roe added all crew members on the scene will be "offered counselling as a priority".

Two sets of twins die in London house

Westbourne Primary School in Sutton said it was "devastated" by the deaths of the four boys - two of whom were pupils there.

In a statement, it said: "Westbourne Primary School and its entire community are devastated at the news of the tragic loss of the four children; our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the family and anyone else affected by this heart-breaking event.

"We will continue to support the children, the staff, the families and the community through these very difficult times."

A woman who works at a nearby shop said the four children were "so well behaved" and "polite".

The 24-year-old, who did not want to give her name, said the two sets of twin boys often came to her shop with their mother.

She said: "They were always all holding hands, they were so well behaved, so polite."

The Met Police remained at the scene on Friday morning as the cause of the fire continues to be investigated.

Superintendent Rob Shepherd said: "The thoughts of everyone at the South Area Command Unit are with the family and friends of these four young children, who have suffered such a devastating and tragic loss tonight. I know these sentiments will be shared by the local community, Sutton and London as a whole."

Councillor Ruth Dombey, leader of Sutton Council, said the death of the four children is "tragic and heartbreaking".

She tweeted that her thoughts go out to the family, friends and local community of those involved, and to the emergency services who attended the blaze.