LAUGHING three-year-old Sky Sunshine Robinson rides on her tricycle without a care in the world.

But only months after this picture was taken at York's White Swan Hotel "peace" squat, the little girl was tragically killed after fire swept through her home in Kingsway West, Acomb.

Her mother, Andrea Robinson, known as Ruby, pictured here on the left in a rainbow-coloured hat, also died in the blaze.

Close friends of the pair today spoke of their "shocking loss".

Gareth Sheehan, 41, of Ascot Way, Acomb, was drinking with Miss Robinson at her house just hours before the blaze.

"I'm just blown away by what has happened - it's a living nightmare," he said.

"Ruby was smiling and very happy all night, and Sky had been put to bed.

"She was totally devoted to her kids. Sky had such an infectious smile."

Miss Robinson's other daughter, Poppy Jay, nine, was on holiday with her father at the time of the fire.

Family friend Steve Panter suffered serious burns and was taken to Pinderfields Hospital, in Wakefield, where he was "poorly but stable" today.

Another man, known as Lee, severed an artery when he jumped from a first-floor window of the council house to escape the inferno.

The cause of the fire is not yet known. A North Yorkshire Police spokesman said today the matter was still being investigated. "We still need to complete several lines of inquiry," he said.

Miss Robinson, 36, was an active member of the York "peace collective" and joined squatters at the so-called Rainbow Peace Hotel in the White Swan Hotel, in Piccadilly. She had just qualified as a masseuse at York College and practised spiritual healing.

Close friend Ken Curran, of Clifton, who regularly looked after Sky, was telephoned at 3.30am to be told the house was on fire.

"I tried ringing Ruby on her mobile, but there was no answer," he said.

"When I got to the house I saw the scorched exterior and knew it was serious.

"I'm still in shock and have broken down a few times. Ruby was a great mother and made friends with anyone.

"Sky was a very gifted child - other children loved her. They are still very much with us in spirit."

Mr Curran, 51, said Miss Robinson also had two other children, Dael, 14, and Ash, 12, who lived elsewhere.

Updated: 11:25 Monday, August 04, 2003