Four children killed in Stafford house fire

Four children have died in a house fire in Stafford, police said.

We received a call at about 2.40 a.m. about the fire in a house located in the Highfields area, a Staffordshire police spokesman said.

"A search at the property is ongoing, but it is with great sadness we can confirm the deaths of four children at the property.

"Two adults and another child are being treated in hospital. Their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening," the spokesman said.

He said Staffordshire fire and rescue service personnel were examining the scene to establish the cause of the fire.

“Our thoughts are with the family, who are being supported by specialist officers at this difficult time.”

A West Midlands ambulance service spokeswoman said: “When crews arrived they found an ongoing serious house fire. Three occupants, two adults, and a child had managed to get out of the property. All three patients were assessed and treated on scene by ambulance staff for non-life-threatening injuries before being taken to hospital for further care.

“Tragically, four children from the property were confirmed dead on the scene. Our thoughts are with the family at this exceptionally difficult time.”

She said two paramedic officers, three ambulances, a hazardous area response team, trauma team, and an emergency doctor attended the scene.