Woman arrested after two children found dead in Wolverhampton house fire

A woman in her thirties has been taken into custody following a house fire in Wolverhampton on Friday evening.

Two boys died during the incident on Mason Street.

The children, aged one and three, died in the blaze that broke out at a property at approximately half past eight in the evening.

Police confirmed on Saturday afternoon that the detained woman remains in custody as detectives continue their enquiries into the circumstances surrounding the fatal incident.

The boys' family is currently receiving assistance from specialist officers during what authorities have described as an extremely difficult period.

Emergency services rushed to the scene after receiving reports of the fire shortly before 8.30pm on Friday.

Both boys were declared dead at the scene by attending paramedics.

Detectives from West Midlands Police have been working alongside fire service investigators to piece together what occurred at the property.

Two other children were already out of the house before emergency services arrived.

A woman had also left the Wolverhampton property.

Police have since cordoned off the end-of-terrace house.

It is expected to stay in place for a considerable period while forensic examinations and other investigative work continues at the location.

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Police officers have been conducting house-to-house interviews with residents in the surrounding area.

Footage from security cameras in the vicinity is also being collected and examined by the investigative team.

Officers were seen entering the property wearing protective equipment this morning.

The walls of the house appeared scorched, while two ground-floor windows were open and blackened with smoke.

Local residents have been thanked for their patience and cooperation.

A spokesman for West Midlands Police said: "Officers are continuing with door-to-door enquiries with CCTV from the area also being retrieved and reviewed.

"A cordon at the scene is likely to remain in place for some time and we thank the local residents for their understanding."

Detective Chief Inspector Kylie Westlake described the deaths as a "truly tragic incident".

She said: “This is a truly tragic incident and our thoughts remain very much with those who loved the children who have been lost.

“We understand the shock and distress this awful incident will have caused to many people and we are working at pace to ascertain exactly what has happened.

“Officers have arrested a woman on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of two children.

“While we would ask people not to speculate about this or the wider incident, we would ask that anyone who can help with our enquiries, and who is yet to speak with us, to get in contact.”