This started off as a tragic fire in an old converted railway station & got a serious turn for the worse.
Initial BBC» reportThree die after fire at Grade II listed building
Three people have died after a house fire at a converted railway station.
Emergency services were called to the blaze at the Grade II-listed property in Rushton, near Kettering, Northamptonshire, at about 22:30 GMT on Friday.
Northamptonshire Police said three people - who have not been identified - later died. Three police officers needed hospital assessment after breathing in smoke.
The blaze, in Beswick Close, was next to the rail line and affected train services to London St Pancras on Saturday.
Villagers told the BBC they had been "traumatised" by the tragedy.
One said: "From our drive we [could] see flames.
"The house was on fire, it was all on fire, but we didn't know if anybody was in it.
"Everybody is very sad. They're very distraught."
Mike Brightman, vice chairman of Rushton Parish Council, said: "It's a very sad day for the village, losing some of our residents in such a horrific way."
In a post on X the
MP▸ for Kettering, Rosie Wrighting, said: "I am saddened by this tragic fire and my thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved and everyone in the Rushton community.
"Thank you to the emergency services who attended the scene."
A fire investigation has begun.
Trains were affected earlier by the fire, which was next to the line between Kettering and Market Harborough, including some services between Sheffield and London St Pancras.
The house was previously the Glendon and Rushton railway station before it was converted for residential use.
It was granted Grade II listed status in 1981.
This morning's
report from the BBCMurder arrest after man, woman and girl die in fire
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three people, including a four-year-old girl, died in a house fire at a converted railway station.
Emergency services were called to the Grade II-listed property in Rushton, near Kettering, at about 22:30 GMT on Friday.
Northamptonshire Police has confirmed the other two people who died were a 23-year-old man and a 30-year-old woman. The victims' next of kin have been informed.
The arrested man, 54, from Kettering, was held on Saturday and remains in police custody.
"This is a heartbreaking situation," said senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Ruby Burrow, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit.
"My thoughts, and those of everyone involved in responding to this fire, are with the people who died and those who love them," she added.
Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service sent crews from across the county to the scene. They remained there throughout Saturday.
Specialist fire investigators and investigation dogs are at the property to help police establish the cause of the fire.
"Due to the intensity of the fire we are managing a very challenging and dangerous scene, and are working to safely and respectfully recover the deceased to enable formal identification to take place," added Det Ch Insp Burrow.
"An incredibly thorough and complex investigation is underway to make sure we get the answers that loved ones need and deserve."
Villagers told the BBC they had been "traumatised" by the tragedy, with one saying "everyone is very sad".
At a media conference on Sunday, Ch Insp Paul Cash said: "This investigation is well under way but remains in its early stages, and it will take time to fully establish what has happened.
"We know this incident has caused significant distress locally and our officers will remain in the area to provide reassurance and help where we can."
Drone pictures show a large hole burned through the roof of the building, which is a 19th Century former station master's house at the now-closed Glendon and Rushton railway station.
According to the Historic England website, it has been a Grade II-listed building since 1981, and is now believed to be a residential property.
'Tragic'
After Friday's fire, one person was taken to hospital by the East Midlands Ambulance Service. Three police officers also needed to be checked in hospital after breathing in smoke.
Mike Brightman, vice chairman of Rushton Parish Council, said it had been a "very sad day for the village, losing some of our residents in such a horrific way".
The MP for Kettering, Rosie Wrighting, said she was "saddened by this tragic fire" and said her thoughts were with the "family and friends of those involved and everyone in the Rushton community".
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