As authorities said, four children have died as a fire ripped through a residence in south London.
About 60 firefighters converged on the residence in a residential area and got the youngsters out of the home as ferocious flames swept through the building Thursday night.
The four children, who are related, were treated at the scene and transferred to the hospital, where they were confirmed dead. Their ages weren’t immediately available.
“This is an incident that has left everyone numb with profound sadness,’’ London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said. “My thoughts are with the family and friends of the children, the whole local community, and all those who will be affected by this fire.’’
Roe said the firefighters were being offered counseling as a priority. The cause of the blaze is under investigation.