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London Fire Brigade Deputy Commissioner Richard Mills speaks to the media at the scene in Sutton, south London, Friday Dec. 17, 2021. Four children have died after fire ripped through the building. About 60 firefighters descended on the home in a residential area and brought the children out of the home as intense fire ripped through the building Thursday night. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)

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Police attend the scene in Sutton, south London, Friday Dec. 17, 2021, after four children died after fire ripped through the building. About 60 firefighters descended on the home in a residential area and brought the children out of the home as intense fire ripped through the building Thursday night. (Aaron Chown/PA via AP)

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Firefighters work at the scene in Sutton, south London, where four children have died following a fire at a house., Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. The cause of the fire is under investigation. (Kirsty O'Connor/PA via AP)

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Emergency services work at the scene in Sutton, south London, where four children have died following a fire at a house, Thursday, Dec. 16, 2021. The London Fire Brigade (LFB) said eight fire engines and around 60 firefighters were sent to Collingwood Road, in Sutton, at just before 7 p.m. on Thursday to reports of the fire. (Kirsty O'Connor/PA via AP)

4 children die after intense fire rips through London home

By Associated Press London

PUBLISHED 7:09 AM ET Dec. 17, 2021

LONDON (AP) — British police arrested a 27-year-old woman on suspicion of child neglect after four children died in a fire that ripped through a home in south London, authorities said.

About 60 firefighters descended on the home in a residential area and brought the children out as intense fire ripped through the building Thursday night.

The youngsters were treated at the scene and taken to a hospital, where they were pronounced dead. The children - two sets of twins ages 3 and 4 - are believed to be related.

“This is an incident that has left everyone numb with profound sadness,’’ London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said. “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the children, the whole local community and all those who will be affected by this fire.’’

Roe said the firefighters were being offered counseling as a priority. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.