A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a fire at a historic former station house killed three people, including a four-year-old girl, police have said. Emergency services were called at about 10.30pm on Friday (March 28) to reports of a large blaze at a property in Beswick Close, Rushton, near Kettering.
Northamptonshire Police said on Sunday that the other victims are believed to be a woman aged 30 and a man aged 23. The force added the 54-year-old suspect is from Kettering and was arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday. He remains in police custody.
The victims’ next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers, according to the police.
Ch Insp Paul Cash said in a statement: “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.
“In relation to this investigation, one arrest has been made, and we will provide updates surrounding this as soon as we can.
“This investigation is well under way but remains in its early stages, and it will take time to fully establish what has happened.”
Senior investigating officer Det Ch Insp Ruby Burrow from the East Midlands Special Operations Unit said: “This is a heartbreaking situation and my thoughts, and those of everyone involved in responding to this fire, are with the people who died and those who love them.
“An incredibly thorough and complex investigation is underway with our partners in Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service to make sure we get the answers that loved ones need and deserve.
“Due to the intensity of the fire we are managing a very challenging and dangerous scene, and are working with partners to safely and respectfully recover the deceased to enable formal identification to take place.”
After the blaze, one person was taken to hospital by the East Midlands Ambulance Service and three officers were assessed because of smoke inhalation, according to the police.
Specialist fire investigators with dogs have been deployed to help the investigation into the cause of the blaze.
Images from the site show extensive damage to the roof of the building, which is a 19th Century former station master’s house at the now-closed Glendon and Rushton railway station.
It is a Grade II-listed building, according to the Historic England website, and is believed to now be a residential property.
Anyone with information is asked to call Northamptonshire Police on 101 quoting incident reference 25000180391.
