A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three people - including a four-year-old girl - died in a house fire, police have said.
A woman, aged 30, and a man, 23, also died in the blaze at an historic former station house in Rushton, Northamptonshire, on Friday night.
Police, fire and ambulance crews responded to reports of the blaze on Beswick Close, at around 10.30pm.
Northamptonshire Police and Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service are conducting an investigation into the cause of the fire.
Three police officers also required hospital assessment due to smoke inhalation.
Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: “This is a heartbreaking situation and my thoughts, and those of everyone involved in responding to this fire, are with the people who died and those who love them.
“An incredibly thorough and complex investigation is underway with our partners in Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service to make sure we get the answers that loved ones need and deserve.
“Due to the intensity of the fire we are managing a very challenging and dangerous scene, and are working with partners to safely and respectfully recover the deceased to enable formal identification to take place.
“Our dedicated team of family liaison officers are keeping next of kin updated. On their behalf, we would ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.
“We know this incident has also caused significant distress within the Rushton community and I’d like to thank everyone for their assistance and patience while we continue our painstaking work.
“If you have any information which could assist our enquiries and have yet to speak to us, please get in touch as soon as you can.”
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service had pumps from across the county at the scene on Friday night and remained at the scene throughout Saturday damping down.
Specialist fire investigators and investigation dogs have been deployed and will continue to support the police to investigate the fire’s cause.
Following the fire, one person was taken to hospital by the East Midlands Ambulance Service and three police officers were assessed due to smoke inhalation.
A neighbour told the Northamptonshire Telegraph: “It’s absolutely shocking. My lad said it was on fire. There was a man who had tried to get in who was outside. It was just an inferno.
"There were ambulance, police and fire. I don’t know the people who live there but all we can do is hope and pray."
The home previously served as Rushton Station and housed the station master, with a train line running behind the building.
In 2009 a group was formed named Friends of Glendon and Rushton station to restore the station - which had been granted Grade II listed status in 1981.
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It was later converted for residential use.
Anyone with information is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 quoting incident reference 25000180391.
