Man and children die in house fire

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Iain Varma, 34, four-year-old Chloe and Zak, eight, died in the blaze at their home in Gowmans Terrace, North Tawton, Devon.

Devon and Cornwall Police said the fire was being treated as "suspicious".

Chief Superintendent Barry Marden said at the scene: "The investigation is in its early stages and the police remain open-minded as to what happened."

He said the children's mother Alison Varma was "traumatised" and police officers were with her.

Mrs Varma and her two-year-old son Lee were not in the house at the time of the fire.

Mrs Varma's father was arrested by police just over two hours after the fire was reported but was released without charge.

A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "A 59-year-old man arrested in connection with this inquiry has been released from custody.

"No further action will be taken against him."

The alarm was raised when the emergency services were called at 12.39am on Monday by a neighbour. The Devon and Somerset Fire Service put out the fire by 1.40am.