A devastating house fire in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, killed a woman known locally as Sue and her two young daughters, Kylie and Julianne, after an explosion tore through their home at around 3am.
Neighbours were jolted awake by a loud blast and saw the house engulfed in flames, with some attempting rescue but being forced back by the intensity of the fire. Fire crews arrived to find the property structurally unstable, flames pouring from every opening, and the stairs collapsed.
Around a dozen neighbours were evacuated, and one was treated for smoke inhalation. Police are treating the deaths as suspicious, and a man, who suffered burns, is in custody. Neighbours said the woman was pregnant and preparing for her wedding, with the children recently showing off their bridesmaid dresses.