Fire tragedy: Two children die in St John's Wood blaze

A FIVE-YEAR-OLD girl died in a fire this morning (Thursday) at a block of flats in St John's Wood.
She was found dead in her room by firefighters at the block in Cunningham Place following the blaze in the early hours. Her 14 year-old brother died in hospital after leaping from a third floor window in a bid to avoid the flames and smoke.
Three others were seriously injured.
Daniel Astaire, of Westminster City Council, said: “This was a terrible tragedy and our thoughts are with the family at this difficult time. We will assist the police and fire service in any way we can with their inquiries.”
A London Fire Brigade statement said: “Four fire engines and around 20 firefighters have attended a fire in a flat on Cunningham Place in the early hours of this morning.
Firefighters discovered the body of a young female child in the flat. Two adult males and two male children were rescued by firefighters wearing breathing apparatus. A male child jumped from a third floor window. The fire badly damaged the third floor flat. The cause of the fire is under investigation.”

More follows.

See tomorrow's West End Extra for full story.