UK

‘Beautiful’ girl, 6, who died in house fire named after 14-year-old arrested

The six-year-old who died in Leicester has been named locally as Chamiah Brindley.

Flowers and tributes left outside the house
Flowers and tributes left outside the house (Jacob King/PA)

Tributes have been left to a “beautiful” six-year-old who died in a house fire in Leicester.

Tributes including flowers, stuffed animals, cards and candles have been left outside the property for the six-year-old who died following a blaze in her family home, named locally as Chamiah Brindley.

Leicestershire Police were called to a property in Bedale Drive, Leicester, at 4.08am on Tuesday morning and confirmed that a person was found dead inside.

Forensic investigation officers at the scene
Forensic investigation officers at the scene (Jacob King/PA)

A 14-year-old girl was arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the incident but was then released while inquiries continue, the force said.

A neighbour, who did not want to be named, got tearful as she spoke about the “beautiful” and “sweet” little girl.

Join the Irish News Whatsapp channel

They said: “She was very sweet, very beautiful. I just think of her and I shed tears. That’s their little baby.

“It’s very sad. For the whole day we were out, all of us. We were all gathered here.

“She was very nice. Just two days before, my husband and I were passing by and she said ‘what is your name please?’ She was so cute.”

Tributes have been left outside the house
Tributes have been left outside the house (Jacob King/PA)

Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: “We know the child, she is always playing around here.

“A child died here, that’s shocking. She’s a child, only six years old.”

Detective Inspector Michael Chandler said in a statement on Tuesday: “This is an extremely tragic incident in which a person has sadly lost their life.

“Our investigation is at a very early stage and we are keeping an open mind as to what caused the fire.

“A dedicated team is carrying out inquiries and we are working closely with the fire service to fully establish what has happened and how it has happened.”