MSNN Media
Updated on: October 12, 2024 3:00 am GMT
Four boys tragically lost their lives in a house fire ignited by a discarded cigarette or an upturned tea light while their mother was shopping at a local supermarket. The heartbreaking incident, which occurred on December 16, 2021, in Sutton, South London, is now at the center of a manslaughter trial involving the boys’ mother, Deveca Rose.
Details of the Fire
According to the prosecution, Ms. Rose, 29, left her two sets of twins alone at home around 6:30 PM. Leyton and Logan Hoath, aged three, and Kyson and Bryson Hoath, aged four, were found unconscious in the upstairs room underneath a bed. The Old Bailey court has heard that the house was filled with rubbish and human excrement at the time of the fire.
– The boys reportedly ran upstairs and cried for help but were unable to escape due to the locked doors.
– Neighbors noticed the blaze and attempted to enter the house, but the fire had grown too severe.
Firefighters responded swiftly and found the boys in the upstairs front room. Attempts were made to revive them on the scene, but tragically, all four children were pronounced dead shortly after being transported to the hospital.
Scene of the tragic fire in Sutton, South London, where four boys lost their lives.
Living Conditions and Background
The court heard that the children lived in deplorable conditions, with rubbish covering much of the floor and unusable toilets due to the filth. Despite this, the children appeared well-cared-for in public, with Ms. Rose reportedly rejecting offers of help from family and social services.
– The case was known to social services, but it had been closed three months prior to the fire.
– Concerns had been raised about the children’s welfare, and a social worker had noted the unpleasant living environment during a visit earlier in 2021.
Testimonies indicate that the boys had not attended school for three weeks before the devastating incident.
Trial Proceedings
Kate Lumsdon KC, the prosecutor, outlined the Crown’s case against Ms. Rose. She stated that either a lit cigarette or tea lights left burning initiated the fire, which quickly spread due to the accumulated rubbish in the house. During her trial, Ms. Rose has denied the charges of manslaughter and child cruelty.
– Ms. Lumsdon emphasized that while the defendant claimed to have left the children in the care of a friend named Jade, investigations failed to substantiate this claim.
– The jury was told that extensive inquiries led to the conclusion that the person referred to as Jade either did not exist or was not involved that evening.
Despite the evidence suggesting Ms. Rose may have suffered from mental health issues, including possible depression or a personality disorder, the prosecutor clarified this is not a legal defense for the tragic outcome.
The trial is expected to continue, as jurors gather further evidence regarding the events leading up to the fire.
Community Response
The deaths of Leyton, Logan, Kyson, and Bryson have sparked deep sorrow within the local community, highlighting the social issues surrounding child welfare and parental responsibility. As the trial unfolds, it raises critical questions about the support systems in place for vulnerable families and the neglect that can lead to such catastrophic circumstances.
Community members have expressed their grief and anger over the incident, calling for stricter safeguards to prevent similar tragedies.
– The local child welfare system has come under scrutiny, with calls for a review of cases where families might be at risk.
– There is a growing sentiment that more proactive measures are needed to ensure that children live in safe and healthy environments.
As the trial goes on, everyone is trying to find out the whole truth about this sad event and hold those responsible accountable for the lives lost. The court will keep listening to evidence as both sides share their stories. Everyone hopes that by doing this, we can stop similar things from happening in the future.