Nottingham: Mother still critical after girls die in fire

Forensic teams are continuing their investigation into the deaths of the two children

A mother remains in a critical condition after a flat fire that killed her two children in Nottingham.

The girls, aged three and one, died in hospital after the blaze in Fairisle Close, Clifton, on Sunday morning.

A 31-year-old man from Clifton has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He is also being questioned on suspicion of attempted murder.

The girls' mother, a 28-year-old woman, remains critically ill in hospital, police confirmed.

Insp Karl Thomas, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: "We will turn every single stone to make sure the family will get justice."

A joint investigation by the police and fire service concluded the fire was started deliberately

He said officers would be carrying out high-visibility patrols in the area "to offer reassurance to the community that this matter is being dealt with at the highest levels".

Police started a murder investigation alongside the fire service after being called to the house at about 04:00 GMT on Sunday.

The force said the blaze, in a first floor flat of a two-storey residential property, was started deliberately.

Neighbouring properties were temporarily evacuated as crews tackled the fire.

At the scene

By Simon Hare, BBC East Midlands Today

The floral tributes are starting to build outside the first floor flat, devastated by a fire which claimed the lives of two young girls.

Police and fire service investigators don white protective suits to continue their task of working out exactly how it started.

Also part of the investigation, a fire service arson detection dog which can sniff out any accelerants that may have been used.

Any death in a house fire is tragic, but when it involves children and is thought to be deliberate, feelings are heightened.

The cold weather - and probably the large number of media present too - has kept most of the family's neighbours inside.

When they have ventured out many speak of their shock to wake up early on Sunday to find their road filled with flashing blue lights.

Rev Lydia Cartwright from Holy Trinity with St Francis CofE church in Clifton said there was a "sense of disbelief" within the local community.

"We have got the church open at the moment," she said.

"People are lighting candles and saying prayers. We will do that for the rest of the week.

"We have a toddler group and we are speaking to some of the families there who are just in shock. It's about us showing we care and that the community is behind this family."

Forensic officers have been seen going in and out of the property

Adam Lamb, 40, who lives on the street, placed flowers and a teddy at the cordon.

He said: "Everyone's shocked at the moment. They didn't stand a chance did they?

"The little ones, bless them. Sad news, it really is."

Nottingham City Council leader David Mellen said the loss of two young children was "completely heart breaking" and the authority would "do all it can" to support the family and community.