Mother released on bail - Sussex fire deaths » Communities » 24dash.com

A mother has been released on bail after being arrested on suspicion of the manslaughter and child neglect of her two sons who died in a house fire, police said today.

Denise Goldsmith, 29, was arrested yesterday afternoon following the deaths of her sons, seven-year-old Lewis and five-year-old Taylor Jenkins.

The boys died from inhaling fire fumes after a blaze broke out at their home in Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex, at around 3pm on October 4.

A Sussex Police spokesman said that Ms Goldsmith was freed on police bail overnight.

Sussex Police have not formally named Ms Goldsmith as the person arrested yesterday but sources confirmed her as being the suspect.

A force spokesman was not immediately able to confirm the date to which Ms Goldsmith has been bailed.

Police said yesterday they were not treating the fire as arson and their inquiries were continuing as floral tributes continued to be laid at the scene for the boys, who were both pupils at nearby Shinewater Primary School.

Ms Goldsmith, who is understood to be estranged from the boys' father, was among a stream of people who visited the scene the day after the tragedy to lay flowers.

She had to be restrained by her family from entering the burnt-out property, which was cordoned off while forensic investigations were carried out.

A team of detectives have been investigating the circumstances that led to the deaths, along with fire investigators from East Sussex Fire and Rescue service (ESFR).

Among the floral tributes was one which read: "To Denise, thinking of you all. God bless your babies."

Neighbours said the boys' deaths had left the local community in shock, while others spoke of how they tried in vain to rescue the boys after the fire broke out.

Jason Maynard, who was carrying out maintenance work on his mother's house nearby at the time, said he tried to save the children but could not get inside the house.

The boys' headteacher, John Greenwood, said the deaths would have a profound effect on the school, where a special assembly was held on Monday.