This is Derbyshire --A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl escaped a raging house fire which killed two women and two boys.
She was found by firefighters in the garden of the house in Williamthorpe Road, North Wingfield, minutes after the blaze broke out at 5am yesterday.
Two women, Claire James, 27, and Josie Leighton, 32, were taken by firefighters from the smoke-logged house – believed to have been the home of Ms James – but they were pronounced dead at the scene.
Tyler Green, nine, and Jordan Green, 12, were also in the house and were taken to Chesterfield and District Royal Hospital, where they were pronounced dead.
The girl, who has not been named, was treated in hospital for smoke inhalation and then discharged.
Police said the alarm was raised by a neighbour who dialled 999.
Firefighters were at the scene within eight minutes and a spokesman said they were keeping an open mind on the cause of the fire.
Chief Inspector Rick Gooch said it was a tragic event which would have an obvious impact on the community.
Mr Gooch declined to say whether the fire was thought to have been started deliberately and said it would be wrong to speculate about the cause while it was still under investigation.
Derbyshire Fire and Rescue Service area manager Kam Basi said: "Our firefighters battled arduous conditions in the premises, which was heavily smoke-logged. Our thoughts and prayers go to the families concerned."
At least one of the dead children is thought to have attended North Wingfield Primary School.
The head teacher, Simon Dorman, said: "We understand there has been a fire in which four people have tragically died. Our thoughts are with the family."
Pete Ripley, divisional director for EMAS North (Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire), said: "Our highly skilled clinicians in double-crewed ambulances and fast-response cars were supported by our hazardous area response team.
"The first vehicle arrived six minutes after the call. In total, seven ambulances and four hazardous area response team vehicles attended. One child suffering smoke inhalation was treated at the scene and was taken to Chesterfield hospital.
''Sadly, despite the best efforts of our staff, two adults and two children did not survive. This was a particularly tragic incident.''
Post mortem examinations will be carried out today. Anyone with information can call police on 101. Reported by This is 20 hours ago.