Friends of the family involved in a devastating house fire have paid tribute after the blaze left an eight-year-old girl and a 33-year-old woman dead.

A 34-year-old man and a five-year-old boy are in hospital with serious injuries.

The fire happened on December 15 in Woodhill Road, Collingham, near Newark, early in the morning.

A 53-year-old woman was also said to be in the house, and also required medical attention.

Friends said they were 'lovely people', with others saying that they had been invited to a party the very night of the fire, Lincolnshire Live reports.

Hannah Giles Knopp, 27, a friend of the family, said: "It's just a shock. We were supposed to be having a party tonight (December 15) and they were coming.

"It's the worst thing to happen. I had a text message from her the night before the fire. It's devastating."

Wayne Walker, 39, added: "They were a lovely couple. Bubbly, outgoing and good parents.


"They were really lovely people."

The emergency services were called to the blaze at around 7am.

Friends and members of the community can pay their respects at a church service on December 16.

Area Chief Inspector Rich Stapleford, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "Our fire and rescue colleagues were able to remove five people from a property affected by fire.


Police were called to the fire in Woodhill Road, Collingham.


"A five-year-old boy and a 34-year-old man remain in hospital with serious injuries. A 53-year-old woman was lead to safety and looked after at the scene. It is believed that all five people were members of the same family.

"The fire was brought under control and a joint fire and police investigation is taking place to establish a cause.


"I know this news will hit the village very hard indeed.
