Blackpool fire: Parents killed and two kids hurt in house blaze

A man and a woman have died and their two children have been injured in a house fire in Blackpool.

The blaze broke out on Peter Street in the town shortly before 02:40 BST, Lancashire Police said.

A woman in her 20s died at the scene while a man, also in his 20s, was pronounced dead at Blackpool Victoria Hospital.

Their children have been taken to hospital for treatment and one is in a “very poorly condition”, the force added.

Detectives are working with the fire service to establish the cause of the blaze at the family’s home.

The force said it was keeping an “open mind” at this stage about how it started.

It added there had been no arrests.

A small number of homes have been evacuated while the investigation is carried out.

Officers will leave “absolutely no stone unturned” in the inquiry, Ch Supt Mike Gladwin said.

He said his thoughts were with the family’s loved ones at this “extremely distressing time”.

“I know this tragic news will be met with great sadness in the local community and people will want instant answers, Ch Supt Gladwin said, but he warned against “unhelpful and upsetting speculation”.

“There are grieving loved ones still trying to come to terms with this devastating news,” he said.

He appealed for anyone with information or who captured anything on their CCTV, doorbell or dashcam to contact the force.