THREE children have been killed and a woman left seriously ill following a fire in Bridlington.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service said officers were called to a property in Clarence Avenue shortly before midnight on Thursday.

A spokesman said: “Unfortunately three children died and a 27-year-old female is currently in Scarborough Hospital in a serious but stable condition.”

The injured woman is understood to be the children's mother.

The cause of the fire is not known at this time but is believed to have started inside the property. A joint police and fire service investigation is now underway though the results are not expected until next week.

Mark Rhodes, of Humberside Fire and Rescue, said: “It is very very sad this morning. It is a very difficult situation here in Bridlington. It is far too early to establish a cause of fire. We believe the fire started inside the property. There will be an awful lot of investigation throughout the day.”

He said forensic and scene investigation teams were on site, adding: “Very sadly it appears that the children were three, five and nine years old.”

Neighbour Dan Bemrose, 77, who was asleep when flames ripped through the building, said: "It's really tragic. The first thing I knew about it was when I went down for my papers this morning. It looks as though it's been completely burnt out. The bottom floor looks as though it's a shell."

The retired pensioner, who lives just 20 yards from the property, said he did not know the occupants.

Neighbour Edith Dawson, 86, told how she watched as "fierce" flames tore through the property.

"It's heart-breaking. I had seen the children playing in their grandmother's back yard. They hadn't been in the house all that long, probably no more than six months," she said.

"It was terrible, with the wind as well, it was so fierce. There were flames coming from the top and you couldn't see for the smoke. It was terrible. It must be heart-breaking for them, and so near Christmas." She said the fire appeared to have been put out by about 3am. Another neighbour, who did not give her name, broke down in tears.

"I have spoken to the children quite often. They were lovely actually and it's been quite a shock," she said, before she was overcome with emotion.