Man and two children die in fire

Police are treating the fire at the house as suspicious

A father and his two young children who died in a "suspicious" house fire in Devon have been named locally.

Fire crews were sent to the house on Gowmans Terrace in North Tawton after receiving a call in the early hours.

Iain Varma, 34, and Chloe, four, died at the scene. Zak, eight, died upon arrival at hospital. His wife, Alison, and son Lee, two, were not there.

The children's 59-year-old grandfather was arrested but has been released with no further action to be taken.

The incident is being treated as suspicious and a major investigation has been launched.

They were lovely children - they used to wave to me from their back garden Violet Marsh, neighbour

Mrs Varma, who works in the local pub and is a governor at the nearby school, was said to be traumatised by the incident.

Homes evacuated

Neighbour Violet Marsh, 84, said: "I saw smoke coming out of the window, there were no flames at all.

"I did not realise it was such a severe fire.

"They were lovely children. They used to wave to me from their back garden when they were on their climbing frame."

Ch Supt Barry Marsden said they were keeping an open mind into the investigation and had called for anyone with information about the family at the address to call Crimestoppers.

A Home Office pathologist has arrived at the scene and a forensic investigation is being carried out.

Neighbouring homes were evacuated and people taken to the local pub, the Copper Key, while up to 20 firefighters tackled the blaze.

Up to 90% of the first floor of the home was destroyed.

Another neighbour, who would only give her name as Jo, said: "It is always a tragedy when kids are involved.

"I heard someone shout 'get the kids out'."

She said the family had lived in the area for about three years after moving from London.