Derbyshire: Bid to identify four killed in Chesterfield house fire

Chief Inspector Rick Gooch from Derbyshire Police (left) and area manager for Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Kam Basi (right) give a statement at the scene of a house fire on Williamthorpe Road in North Wingfield, Chesterfield, where four people, including two children, have been killed. PIC: PA

Derbyshire Police said officers and fire service experts were still attempting to establish the cause of the fatal blaze in North Wingfield, near Chesterfield.

Speaking near the scene of the fire, Chief Inspector Rick Gooch confirmed that a seven-year-old girl was being treated in hospital after escaping with minor injuries.

Mr Gooch said fire crews, who were alerted by a neighbour at around 5am, found the surviving child, suffering from the effects of smoke in the rear garden of the property.

Describing the deaths as a tragic event which would have an obvious impact on the community, the senior officer said: “I can confirm that two women and two children were pronounced dead.

“I can also confirm that a seven-year-old girl survived the fire.”

Mr Gooch declined to say whether the fire was thought to have been started deliberately, and said it would be wrong to speculate about the cause while it was still under investigation.

Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager Kam Basi also addressed the media at a cordon near the scene in Williamthorpe Road.

He said: “Our firefighters battled quite arduous conditions within the premises, which was heavily smoke-logged.

“Our thoughts and prayers go out to the families concerned.”