‘Deliberate’ fire kills boy and woman after also killing five-year-old

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A 14-year-old boy and 34-year-old woman have died following a house fire in south London that also killed a five-year-old boy

The teenager and woman were taken to hospital following the blaze in Russett Way, Lewisham, on Saturday with serious injuries.

The Metropolitan Police said the 14-year-old died from his injuries on Wednesday while the woman died in hospital on Thursday.

All three were members of the same family. Their relatives have been informed and are being supported by specialist officers. Tributes have been placed at the scene.

A post-mortem examination on the five-year-old, who died on Saturday, gave his cause of death as smoke inhalation .

  • Greenwich fire: Child killed in tragic blaze at block of flats in south London

Detectives believe the fire was started deliberately but are not looking for anybody else in relation to the investigation.

The Metropolitan Police's Detective Chief Inspector Laurence Smith said that family members had been informed and added: "Our specialist officers are supporting them as they come to terms with their loss."

He also appealed for the public to assist them "to increase our understanding of what has led to this tragic incident and provide the family with answers".

London Fire Brigade said that six engines and around 40 firefighters had been called to the blaze at the block of maisonettes in Russett Way, Greenwich, at 5.44am on Saturday.

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"Part of the top floor of a split-level maisonette was damaged by the fire," a spokesman told reporters

A Fire Service report on Saturday stated: "Six fire engines and around 40 firefighters were called to a fire at a block of maisonettes on Russett Way in Greenwich.

"Part of the top floor of a split-level maisonette was damaged by the fire.

"Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued a woman and two children from the top the floor of the property.

"They have all been taken to hospital by London Ambulance Service crews, where sadly one of the children passed away.

"Fire crews from Greenwich, Lewisham, Deptford, New Cross, Lee Green and East Greenwich were at the scene."

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson added:"Police were called by the London Fire Brigade at approximately 05:56hrs on Saturday, 6 March to reports of a fire at a residential property in Russett Way, Greenwich.

"Three people, a 34 year old woman and two children, sustained injuries and were taken to south London hospitals.

"Despite the best efforts of the emergency services and hospital staff, one of the children sadly died shortly before 08:00hrs." – The woman and the teenage boy have now both succumbed to their imjuries.

The blaze is now under investigation by both LFB and the Met Police..

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