A mother remains in serious condition following a fire in Nottingham that claimed the lives of her two children.
Sunday morning’s fire at Fairisle Close, Clifton, resulted in the deaths of two young girls, ages three and one.
A Clifton man, age 31, has been detained on suspicion of murder. He is also under investigation for attempted murder.
The mother of the girls, a 28-year-old woman, remains in critical condition in the hospital, according to authorities.
Nottinghamshire Police Superintendent Karl Thomas stated, “We will leave no stone unturned to ensure the family receives justice.”
Officers will conduct high-visibility patrols in the area “to reassure the community that this situation is being handled at the highest levels,” he said.
Sunday at approximately 04:00 GMT, the police and fire department were dispatched to a residence where a homicide was suspected.
The fire, which occurred on the first floor of a two-story residential building, was ignited intentionally, according to the police.
As firefighters battled the blaze, nearby buildings were briefly evacuated.
The flower tributes are beginning to accumulate in front of the first-floor apartment, which was destroyed by a fire that took the lives of two little children.
Investigators from the police and fire departments don white protective suits to continue determining how the incident began.
Also included in the investigation is a fire department dog that can detect any accelerants that may have been used.
Any death in a house fire is heartbreaking, but feelings are amplified when children are believed to have been murdered.
Most of the family’s neighbors have remained indoors due to the chilly weather and the presence of a big number of media.
When they ventured out, several expressed their astonishment at waking up on Sunday morning to see their road lined with flashing blue lights.
Rev. Lydia Cartwright of the Holy Trinity with St. Francis CofE church in Clifton stated that the local community was “incredulous.”
“The church is currently available,” she stated.
“Individuals are lighting candles and praying. This will continue for the remainder of the week.
“We are speaking with some of the families in our toddler group who are in a state of shock. We must demonstrate that we care and that the community supports this family.”
Adam Lamb, age 40, a resident of the neighborhood, left flowers and a stuffed animal at the cordon.
He said: “Everyone is currently shocked. They had no chance, didn’t they?
“The children, may God bless them. Sadly, the news is indeed bad.”
David Mellen, the leader of the Nottingham City Council, described the loss of two young children as “heartbreaking” and vowed to “do all possible” to assist the family and community.
