Exeter house fire: Girl, 4, and couple die

Police called it a "deeply upsetting" and "tragic incident" and said no-one else was being sought in connection with the fire

A four-year-old girl and a couple have died in a house fire, police have said.

The girl, a man, 29, and a woman, 28, died following the fire in Clayton Road, Exeter.

Three other children who were in the house, two boys aged four and nine and a seven-year-old girl, are in a stable condition in hospital said officers.

Police called it a "deeply upsetting" and "tragic incident" and said no-one was being sought in connection with the blaze.

'A huge tragedy'

Police said the blaze was extinguished by fire fighters at around 05:30 GMT.

Ch Supt Dan Evans said the incident would cause "great distress to the community, particularly to those who knew the family".

"It is a huge tragedy for all involved," he said.

He added police were working to understand the cause of the blaze.

The children who survived would be moved to Bristol Children's Hospital for treatment, he said.

The couple and the children were "all related" but the force said no further details were available.

The force is supporting the victims' next of kin.

Road closures in the area would remain in place for the next couple of days.

Devon and Somerset Fire Service said in a statement its "heartfelt thoughts are with the family and everyone involved in responding to this tragic incident".