West Midlands Police said a woman in her 30s was arrested after a fatal fire in Wolverhampton in which two boys died. The fire broke out in Mason Street at around 8.30pm on Friday, 24 April. Two boys aged one and three were pronounced dead at the scene, according to police.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and rescued two young children, police said. Two other children and a woman were already out of the house before emergency services arrived and did not need hospital treatment. The cause of the fire has not yet been determined, and it remains unclear why the two other children and the woman were already outside.
The arrested woman remains in custody, police confirmed. She was arrested on suspicion of causing or allowing the death of two children, according to Detective Chief Inspector Kylie Westlake from the public protection unit. A cordon at the scene is likely to remain in place for some time as investigations continue.
DCI Westlake said: "This is a truly tragic incident and our thoughts remain very much with those who loved the children who have been lost." She added: "We understand the shock and distress this awful incident will have caused to many people and we are working at pace to ascertain exactly what has happened."
West Midlands Police said the family of the deceased children is being supported by specialist officers. The relationship between the arrested woman and the children has not been disclosed. It is also unclear whether the two deceased boys were rescued by firefighters or found already deceased. The current condition of the arrested woman and the other children has not been released.
DCI Westlake urged the public not to speculate and asked anyone with information to contact police. "While we would ask people not to speculate about this or the wider incident, we would ask that anyone who can help with our enquiries, and who is yet to speak with us, to get in contact," she said.