Mother died while rescuing sons

Neighbours said Ms Brown returned to the burning flat to save her sons

It is thought a woman who died after a suspicious house fire in Ayrshire on Sunday morning had been trying to save her children.

Neighbours said Angela Brown, 31, rescued her three-year-old daughter from the building on Culzean Place, in the Pennyburn area of Kilwinning.

She then ran back into the house to get her two sons but was overcome by the intensity of the blaze.

Fire crews pulled all three from the flat but Ms Brown died in hospital.

A neighbour of the family said: "I know that Angela got her youngest, Kassie, out.

"She then went back in to get the boys but must have been overcome by smoke.

"She seemed like a lovely woman and of course everyone around here is devastated."

Joint investigation

Ms Brown's sons, aged six and 12, were being treated for the effects of smoke at the Sick Kids hospital in Edinburgh, and were said to be in a stable condition.

Her daughter was released from Crosshouse Hospital in Kilmarnock after treatment.

It is understood Ms Brown has two older children who had been staying with friends when the fire broke out at the property at about 0600 BST.

A joint investigation into the cause of the fire is being carried out by Strathclyde Fire and Rescue Service and Strathclyde Police.

Det Insp Brian Semple said the blaze was being treated as suspicious and appealed for witnesses to come forward.

He said: "We cannot be sure if was started deliberately or if it was accidental at this time, however a thorough investigation over the next few days will shed some light into the cause."