Derbyshire fire: police keeping ‘an open mind’ about cause

The victims have been named locally as 17-year-old Amy Smith, her six-month-old daughter Ruby Gaunt, and friend Ed Green. The fire started at a property in North Street, Langley Mill, Derbyshire, in the early hours of Sunday. The baby’s father, Shaun Gaunt, and two others are also thought to have been caught in the blaze.

On a tribute site, Leanne Marie wrote, “Three young people taken too young. Such an awful thing to happen. My thoughts are with the families at this awful time.”
Katie Gough said “knowing the baby was only six months old is so heartbreaking, and 17 years of age is too young to die.”

A Derbyshire Police spokesman said “Investigating officers say they are keeping an open mind as to the cause of the fire and have not ruled anything out at this early stage in the inquiry.

“Police are not in a position to give any further details of those who died in the fire as they are still tracing family members.

Terrible night shift. Thoughts with all personnel from all emergency services involved at Langley Mill this morning.

— John Dunkley (@jdunkley2103) June 21, 2015

Neighbours said they had gone to help those stuck inside the house with ladders before emergency services arrived. Several surrounding properties were evacuated as the fire caused a gas leak.

Paul Barber, 33, who lives next door to the flat affected was woken up at 4am by banging on the door. His family ran outside to find a “big glow” and high flames.

He said “people were screaming for help, it was very chaotic. I saw one person throwing their child out of the window on to a mattress to get him safe. It’s a big shame, they were a very cute family.”

The investigation into the cause of the fire continues.