Mother and two children who died in ‘devastating’ house fire pictured

Gemma Germeney with partner Scott Peden and children Lilly and Oliver (Picture: Facebook/SWNS)

A mother and two children who died after a house fire in Cambridge have been named by police.

Gemma Germeney, 31, died at the scene of the fire on Friday morning.

Her daughter Lilly Peden, eight, and son Oliver Peden, four, were rushed to hospital for treatment but later also died.

A man in his thirties was also taken to hospital following the blaze, and he remains there in a critical condition.

While he has not been named, he is believed to be Ms Germeney’s partner Scott Peden, who is the father of Lilly and Oliver.

The Mail Online reported that the family’s two dogs are also believed to have died.

More than 30 firefighters were sent to the two-storey maisonette on Sackville Close, King’s Hedges, after being called at 1.08am on Friday.

Crews managed to prevent the fire, which had spread to both floors, from engulfing the neighbouring houses.

The fire spread to the ground and first floors of the Cambridge maisonette (Picture: James Linsell-Clark/SWNS)

Area commander Stuart Smith said: ‘This is a devastating and deeply upsetting incident that will touch many people.

‘Our thoughts are with the relatives, friends and neighbours of the family. It’s just heartbreaking.

‘A fire like this is one of the toughest incidents you can attend as a firefighter and we’re looking after the welfare of all those who responded to or supported this incident.’

A spokesman for Cambridgeshire Police said: ‘Our thoughts remain with the family, friends and the local community following this tragic incident.

‘We are working alongside the fire service to establish the most probable cause of the fire.’

Gemma Germeney died at the scene, while Lilly and Oliver Peden died later in hospital.