‘Heartbreaking’: Two sets of twins die in fire

Kyson and Bryson, four, and Leyton and Logan, three, died in Sutton, South London, after the inferno ripped through the entire ground floor just before 7pm Thursday (local time).

A neighbour told how she battled to save one of the youngsters by performing CPR for a minute until paramedics arrived.

She said: “I was driving past as the fire started. It was so shocking. I jumped out my car and got involved.

“The boy had his school jacket on. It was awful.

“I got asked if anyone could do CPR and I could so I tried when they came out.

“Then the paramedics arrived.

“I really thought they were going to be okay. It’s heartbreaking.”

The kids’ heartbroken granddad Jason Hoath told how the boys’ father is “devastated” at the tragic loss of his four sons.

Security officer Jason told The Sun: “I’ve just left my son. He’s absolutely devastated. We all are.

“I’ve lost four grandchildren and he’s lost his kids as well.

“It’s all the more heartbreaking because their presents were all piled under the tree ready for them.

“We don’t know what happened and are just waiting for the police to get back to us.

“My son has been up all night and he’s shattered. He’s trying to get some sleep. He’s not in a good way as you can imagine.”

It is understood the PVC-covered front door caught fire – possibly due to Christmas fairy lights – and then erupted in flames.

Despite the blaze, brave firefighters rushed inside and rescued the little ones before giving them CPR on the street outside until paramedics arrived.

Tragically, all four children were pronounced dead when they were taken to hospital.

The four youngsters are seen beaming and holding hands in a picture which appears to have been taken outside the mid-terrace home, months before the tots would perish alone inside.

Grandfather Jason also shared a heartbreaking tribute to his grandsons on Facebook.

‘Amazing’ children

He wrote: “I am devastated to say that the horrendous house fire that took place in Sutton last night leading to four children losing their lives were my amazing, smart and beautiful grandsons.

“Kyson and Bryson, aged four, and Leyton and Logan, aged three, were taken too soon they will always be in our hearts and thoughts.

“Boys, I love you forever. Grandad xxx”

A neighbour said: “Everyone has been really sympathetic.

“The boys went to the same school as mine which is Westbourne Primary School.

“The kids looked really happy. The boys looked really sweet and nothing seemed out of order.

“I didn’t know them personally. I only saw their mum in the morning.

“Everyone in this road knew them and the boys were really cute.”

Another neighbour said: “The kid’s mum and her partner were a well-known couple and they were well liked. They came across well.”

Speaking to reporters outside the house today, deputy fire chief Mills added: “Firstly, I’d like to acknowledge the terrible tragedy that took place last night and our thoughts remain with the family, friends and community of the sad loss of life of four young children.

“Yesterday evening, shortly before 7pm, fire crews attended the scene with eight fire engines and 60 firefighters.

“We immediately carried out CPR resuscitation at the scene.

“The children were taken to a local hospital. And, sadly, those four children died later that evening.

“The cause of the fire is currently unknown and we have fire investigation teams on scene at present along with the Metropolitan Police to determine the cause of the fire.”

The fire raged from 6.55pm until 8.35pm, with 60 crew members called out to battle the flames.

Flowers were laid at the scene this morning.

A message on one bouquet read: “To Kyson Bryson Leyton + Logan. Sleep well. Love Grandad.”

A stuffed toy panda was left with two candles with a note which read: “R.I.P. Sweet little ones.”

One woman, Tasha, 48, who did not want to give her surname, brought a bunch of flowers on behalf of the Sutton Dog Watch team.

She said: “It’s just so sad that four poor babies have tragically lost their lives.

“I live just down the road and heard all the fire engines, ambulances and police arrive last night.

“I walked down to see what was going on but it was all taped off.

“Dozens of people were standing by the cordon in silence. It was a real sombre and respectful moment yet no one really knew what had happened.

“To see it on the news this morning, the outcome was far worse than anyone could have feared. It’s hard to believe.

“This is a very tight knit community, which is shocked and in mourning, as you’ve got a school and Sutton United Football Club which will probably hold a minute’s silence on Saturday.”

A GoFundMe page in honour of the children has raised nearly $3000.

Westbourne Primary School in Sutton said it was “devastated” by the deaths of the four boys – two of whom were pupils there – in a house fire.

Devastating blaze

In a statement, a spokesperson said: “Westbourne Primary School and its entire community are devastated at the news of the tragic loss of the four children; our hearts, thoughts and prayers are with the family and anyone else affected by this heartbreaking event.

“We will continue to support the children, the staff, the families and the community through these very difficult times.”

One local woman, 42, said: “The four-year-olds were in the same reception class as my child.

“They were very friendly and lovely children.”

Another woman, 32, said: “The four-year-olds were in the same reception class as my son and they were friends.

“Our sons were friends, but I didn’t really know them well. They were friendly, well-liked, liked to play and I am just so sad about it.”

Another woman said: “Everyone knew them in our community and we are all devastated.

“They were just lovely boys. There are absolutely no words to describe how sad we are. The boys were always smiling and happy.”

Speaking at a press conference this afternoon, Met Police Chief Superintendent Dave Stringer – the south area commander responsible for Sutton, Bromley and Croydon – said: “The thoughts of everyone at the Metropolitan Police are with the friends and family of four young boys who lost their lives in this tragic incident.

“We know it would have come as a great shock to the local community and as part of that community we are here to offer whatever support we can.

“It has been confirmed that the four boys who were inside, two aged three and two aged four, were brought out but sadly died.

“They were all related. There was nobody else inside the property at the time of the fire.

“As part of that investigation, a 27-year-old woman was arrested last night on suspicion of child neglect.

“She remains in police custody.

“There was nobody else inside the property at the time of the fire.”

London Fire Commissioner Andy Row said firefighters were “numb with profound sadness” and they would be offered counselling.

This article originally appeared on The Sun and was reproduced with permission

Originally published as ‘Heartbreaking’: Two sets of twins die in fire