Collingham fire: Boy, 5, is third family member to die

A five-year-old boy has died in hospital following a house fire which killed his mother, aged 32, and his eight-year-old sister.

The children's father, aged 34, remains in hospital with serious injuries after the fire on Saturday in Woodhill Road, Collingham, near Newark.

The children's 53-year-old grandmother escaped unhurt.

The mother and children have been named by police as Justine, Isabella and Harvey Collison.

The children's father, and Mrs Collison's mother - who was led to safety - have been named locally.

Flowers have been left outside the home. One message described Isabella as a "wonderful friend" while another to Harvey said "I loved reading with you".

Catherine Hardy, who worked with Mrs Collison, described her as "lovely".

She added: "You could not meet a nicer woman. She was always smiling and adored her children and her husband."

Ms Hardy joined others paying their respects at churches in the area, where prayers are being said for the family.

Ch Insp Rich Stapleford said: "Tragically a boy, five, who was rescued from the house and taken to hospital has died.

"This follows the news that a girl aged eight and a woman aged 33 died following the incident.

"Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, friends and the community of Collingham at this difficult time."

East Trent Churches said there would be prayers for the victims of the fire at churches across the parish.

Reverend Mandy Cartwright, rector for East Trent Churches, said people in the community were feeling "shocked and subdued".

She said: "It is always going to be dreadful when something like this happens. When it happens near Christmas, I think it is felt a lot more keenly and will be remembered at Christmases to come."

Rev Cartwright added that All Saints Church in Collingham would be open from 10:00 GMT to 16:00 GMT every day from now until Christmas Day for people to pray or leave messages of condolence.

"I think everybody will be affected by this fire and to be able to talk about that will be really important," she said.

A joint fire and police investigation is taking place to establish a cause.

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