St Neots rallies to help after children's house fire deaths

The fire broke out in the three-storey house in St Neots on Thursday morning

More than £18,000 has been raised in online appeals for a family whose two children died in a house fire.

A three-year-old boy and seven-year-old girl died at the scene of the blaze in St Neots, Cambridgeshire, on Thursday.

Their 35-year-old mother suffered life-changing injuries after jumping from a second-floor window, while her partner, a 46-year-old man, had minor injuries.

St Neots mayor Stephen Ferguson said the level of suffering and grief was "incomprehensible".

"The family has lost everything, and I think the whole community is struggling to adjust to something as horrendous as that happening, it's horrible," he added.

"During times like this I think people want to come together and do something - it's part of the grieving process.

"There are lots of generous acts going on, and the community support group has had lots of offers of food, clothes and money."

Flowers and soft toys have been left under a tree near the house

About 40 firefighters were sent to tackle the blaze at the home in Buttercup Avenue, Eynesbury.

An investigation concluded there were no suspicious circumstances and the most probable cause was an electrical fault in a first-floor bedroom, Cambridgeshire Police said.

They added that it was not linked to Christmas lights.

Mother-of-three Simona Bagnato Ogbeni, from Eynesbury, set up one of three fundraising pages. It has raised more than £7,000.

"Everyone is really sad, but has joined together to help this family," she said.

"Money will never give them back what they have lost, but it is a way to tell them they are not alone, we are here for you.

"People keep donating and I'm really so proud that we are part of this community - it is amazing what it has done and is doing."

Members of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service laid flowers on Friday

Speaking on Friday, chief fire officer Chris Strickland said 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," he said.

"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."

Mr Ferguson added: "I visited the scene on Friday, and it was distressing - the fire brigade and police were still there, and still investigating.

"I think even for established fire officers this a really unusual circumstance, and the suffering of those guys - having to lose two young children in a fire - is difficult for them.

"I want to thank them for all the sacrifices they make, keeping our community safe."