Two children have died and police have launched a murder enquiry after a ‘serious incident’ in Sheffield.
Police were called to reports of concerns for safety at a property on Gregg House Road, in the Shiregreen area of the city, at around 7.30am on Friday morning.
Six children were raced to hospital by air and road ambulance and two of the youngsters, aged 13 and 14, have since died.
Three other children, aged 11, 10 and three as well as a seven-month-old baby remain in hospital receiving treatment.
A 37-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection with the incident.
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They remain in custody and are due to be questioned by police.
It is not yet known how the two children died and a post-mortem examination is due to be carried out in due course, South Yorkshire Police said.
Officers investigating the case say there is no wider risk to the community.
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Palmer, investigating, said: “Detectives and specialist officers remain in the Gregg House Road area carrying out enquiries and we are working hard to ascertain the exact circumstances surrounding this incident.
“We will remain in the area this afternoon and into the evening carrying out enquiries and providing reassurance.
"I appreciate the events of this morning have caused concern locally but I’d like to reassure you that there is no wider risk to the community. We will be providing regular updates when we are able to. If anyone does have concerns, please do not hesitate to speak to an officer in the area.
“To allow the investigation to progress, I would please ask that people are mindful of what they are posting on social media and the potential distress this may cause.
“A 37-year-old man and a 34-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder in connection and remain in custody at this time.”
South Yorkshire Police said there will be a significant police presence at the scene throughout the day as officers continue inquiries.
A cordon was partially lifted in the area by early afternoon, but officers and forensics teams continued to examine a semi-detached council-type house.
Local resident Aaron Brunskill said residents came out into the street at 8am to find around 15 police cars and four ambulances.
He said: "The police weren't telling us anything.
"I know there's children there. I've just seen them walking back to the shops and that's all I know.
"There's unconfirmed reports about everything.
"Everyone speaking on the road said the first one out had to be resuscitated in the ambulance and it was a pretty serious incident.
"There were four ambulances. Everyone got took away in an ambulance."
"I don't know if the air ambulance was used."
Anyone with concerns or information is asked to call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 quoting incident number 122 of 24 May 2019.
