Cambridge house fire: ‘Heart of gold’ mum killed in blaze with daughter, 8, and son, 4, as ‘hero’ dad tried to save them
A MUM with a "heart of gold" and her two children died in a house fire as their "hero dad" was critically injured trying to save them.
Gemma Germeney, 31, was killed in the blaze at her home in Cambridge, while her son Oliver Peden, four, and daughter Lily Peden, eight, died later in hospital.
Around 30 firefighters from six crews battled the flames scorching through the council maisonette at around 1am on Friday.
Sadly, cops confirmed the three deaths yesterday and added that a man in his 30s, who is understood to be Gemma's partner Scott Peden, was hospitalised with life threatening injuries.
A young child from a neighbouring home was also admitted, but it is believed he was suffering from smoke inhalation and did not have any major injuries.
It is also believed that the Peden family's two dogs were killed in the inferno.
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Neighbours paid tribute to the family, with one resident named Debbi saying: "Gemma loved her kids to bits, she was a devoted mum and she had a heart of gold.
"We heard that her partner Scott had tried to rescue them all when the fire broke out in the middle of the night.
"He was a hero, but he couldn’t save them. Our thoughts and prayers are with him."
Facebook pictures show the family together, with one seeing them dressed to the nines for Gemma's 30th birthday party.
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Others show her and Scott sharing a cuddle and the kids celebrating little Lily's birthday.
A second neighbour, who witnessed the tragedy, said: "I was woken up by what I thought was a car alarm, but it must have been a smoke alarm going off.
"There was smoke billowing everywhere and I could see flames, and hear the sounds of windows smashing.
"I didn’t realise how serious it was until I saw some stretchers being wheeled out. It was absolutely horrific."
Another witness added that they had been woken by "screaming" before realising the "mayhem" that was unfolding.
In a statement, Area Commander Stuart Smith of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service described the loss as "devastating".
He said: "It’s just heartbreaking.
"A fire like this is one of the toughest incidents you can attend as a firefighter."
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, the service confirmed.
A Cambridge City Council spokesperson said: “People will be shocked and distressed to hear about this incident in their local community and we are working to provide support to those people who have been directly affected, including the occupants of neighbouring properties.
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"Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and all of the people who have been affected."
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson added: "The ambulance service would like to extend its deepest sympathies to all those affected by this tragic incident."
