A 54-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after three people – which included a four-year-old girl – died in a horror Northamptonshire village fire. 

The other victims of the blaze at a historic property in the village of Rushton, near Kettering, on Friday evening were a 30-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man. 

Emergency services were called to the fire at the Grade II-listed former station master’s house at around 10.30pm on Friday. 

Despite their efforts, three people are sadly confirmed to have died. Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. 

A 54-year-old Kettering man was arrested on suspicion of murder yesterday and remains in police custody.  

One person was taken to hospital by East Midlands Ambulance Service following the fire and three police officers were assessed after inhaling smoke.  

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service were still damping down the blaze throughout Saturday, after arriving on Friday night with pumps from across the county. 

Chief Inspector Paul Cash, of Northamptonshire Police, said emergency services were working in ‘very difficult and dangerous conditions to safely and respectfully recover those who have died, and enable formal identification’. 

Shocking images show a large hole burned through the roof of the 19th-century building, the former station master’s house at the now-closed Glendon and Rushton railway station. 

It is now believed to be a residential property. It was previously derelict but had recently completely renovated.

Specialist fire investigators and investigation dogs have been sent to support police investigations into the cause of the flames. 

The fire was so severe, the roof of the building caved in.  

Chief Inspector Paul Cash, who leads on local policing in the Kettering area, said: ‘On Friday evening, the emergency services were called to a devastating fire on Station Road, Rushton that has tragically resulted in the deaths of three people.

‘We believe them to be a four-year-old girl, a 30-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man.

‘On behalf of everyone involved with responding to this fire, I would like to express our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of those who died.’ 

He said a ‘thorough investigation’ is underway, in collaboration with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, ‘to find the answers that their loved ones need and deserve’.

The families involved are being kept updated through their family liaison officers, he explained: ‘Our thoughts will remain with all of them at this incredibly difficult time.’ 

He added: ‘Although the emergency services are well trained and prepared for challenging situations, a job like this is still incredibly difficult for us all.

‘Those who responded to this call-out on Friday night, both emergency services and local residents, did all they could to try and help, and I would like to highlight their incredibly brave and selfless efforts.

‘I know how hard it was for everyone involved that they could not do more and I know their thoughts are with everyone affected.’ 

He thanked the community in Rushton for their ‘support and patience’ while investigations continue. 

The officer said: ‘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 underway but remains in its early stages, and it will take time to fully establish what has happened.

‘On behalf of the families involved, I would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.’

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of 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.’ 

She also explained an ‘incredibly thorough and complex investigation’ is currently underway in collaboration with the county’s fire service.  

She said: ‘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.’ 

The officer also thanked the Rushton community ‘for their assistance and patience while we continue our painstaking work’ – especially as the fire had caused ‘significant distress’ locally. 

She concluded: ‘If you have any information which could assist our enquiries and have yet to speak to us, please get in touch as soon as you can.’

Rushton Parish Council vice chair Mike Brightman said: ‘It’s a very sad day for the village, losing some of our residents in such a horrific way.’

MP for Kettering Rosie Writing said she was ‘saddened’ by the incident in a post on X.

She wrote: ‘I am saddened by this tragic fire and my thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved and everyone in the Rushton community.

‘Thank you to the emergency services who attended the scene.’

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident reference 25000180391. The Major Incident Public Portal can also be used to submit information.