THE fire service in East Yorkshire is lobbying for sprinkler systems to be fitted in all new homes following the deaths of three children in a house blaze in Bridlington.

Humberside Fire and Rescue Service has backed the National Fire Sprinkler Network’s bid to lobby Westminster to ensure all new homes are fitted with automatic sprinklers.

The call follows the deaths of Maddie Hudson, three, Anthony Hudson, five, and William Beale, nine, who were killed when fire broke out at their home in Clarence Avenue, Bridlington, on November 11.

Their mother, 27-year-old Samantha Hudson, was rescued from the burning building.

Humberside Police have established the fire started in the front room of the house, although the exact cause is still unknown. The emergency services who attended on the night of the fire were invited to the children’s funeral service which was held on Tuesday, at the Emmanuel Church, in Cardigan Road, Bridlington.

Iain Cox, chairman of the National Fire Sprinkler Network, said: “Earlier this month, proposed legislation to approve the installation of domestic sprinkler systems in all new domestic properties in Wales was passed through Stage 1 Measure by the Welsh Assembly Government.

“It is vital that this legislation not only gets passed in Wales, but that it is considered for domestic properties in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.”

Dene Sanders, assistant chief officer with Humberside Fire & Rescue Service, said: “As a fire and rescue service, we work hard to make our communities and our firefighters safer.

“When someone dies in a fire, it is absolutely devastating. Our advice to anyone is to get a smoke alarm, check it once a week and have an escape plan. Sprinkler systems would add to our efforts of protecting our communities and we would welcome this legislation being introduced in England.”