A young couple and their four-year-old daughter who died in a Devon house fire have been named – as three more children remain in hospital.
Daniel and Kaylie Rudge died along with their four-year-old daughter Lily after a fire broke out at a house in Clayton Road in the St David’s area of Exeter in the early hours of Sunday morning.
Three other children – two boys aged four and nine, and a seven-year-old girl – who were also in the house at the time of the fire, remain in hospital.
Full-time mother Kaylie, 28, and Daniel, 29, a member of a local bike group, had been married for five years.
Devastated friends have been paying tribute while a fundraising page has now been set up to raise money for their surviving children – with thousands of pounds already donated.
A probe is continuing into the cause of the fire, with police saying yesterday they are not seeking anyone in connection with the blaze.
Mr Rudge was a member of the Demons motor bike club – and his bike was parked outside the house in a cul-de-sac which is home to around 20 families near the city’s main railway station.
Some flowers have already been laid at the scene as the local community expressed shock at the tragedy.
Officers say a cordon screening off the entrance to the home will remain in place for the next three days.
Close friend Lauren England said: ‘Daniel’s sister is our good friend and neighbour and we used to socialise a few times a week with Daniel and Kaylie,
‘We are absolutely devastated and heartbroken not only to lose friends, but to help his sister and family get through this awful time.
‘They were such funny, caring and loving individuals, amazing parents to their four beautiful babies,
‘They were always there when we needed them the most without any hesitation, they were at our door within minutes, always thinking about everyone else but themselves.
‘They will be truly missed and Exeter has gained a huge hole in its heart as they were very popular among the community.
‘We hope their souls are at peace and their babies they’ve left behind will be very well taken care of and will never go without love and care from us all.’
Miss England’s partner Lauren Willdigg added: ‘Big love to my best friend and her family, two of my good friends gone too soon.’
Devon and Cornwall police said they were alerted to the fire at 5.30am on Sunday after it had been extinguished by emergency services.
The end of terrace property is next to a takeaway shop in a cul-de-sac where mostly families live.
Some police were drafted in from Plymouth to the scene and officers were also asking for CCTV from the local area following yesterday morning’s blaze.
Chief superintendent Daniel Evans said: ‘We are working closely with specialist scene investigators to help us understand how this tragic incident could have occurred, but currently there is nothing to indicate any third-party involvement in this matter and therefore we are not seeking anyone in connection to this fire at this time.’
The wider police cordon has now been released but Supt Evans said an inner cordon surrounding the property along with a scene guard would remain in place several more days.
He added: ‘This is a deeply upsetting incident and one that will cause great distress to the community, particularly to those who knew the family.
‘I don’t doubt that people will wish to leave a tribute and flowers at the scene.
‘I ask that at this time the public give our officers space to undertake the vital investigative work at the scene, and we will update you all over the coming days in relation to a safe space where people can leave flowers or a tribute if they wish.’
Further tributes were paid online.
Amy Chambers wrote: ‘Gut wrenching my heart is in pieces, such a lovely family. My thoughts are with family, thinking of you all.’
A fundraising page has now been set up to help the surviving members of the family.
Natalie Anderson, who created the appeal, wrote: ‘As some of you may know or have seen or heard there was a horrific fire at a house in central Exeter in the early hours of Sunday which have left two adults and a four-year-old girl dead.
‘Three more young children, all from the same family, are injured and are to be taken to Bristol Children’s Hospital.
