The heartbreaking events of December 2021 are still fresh in the minds of those who lived near a tragic house fire that claimed the lives of four young boys in Sutton, south London.

Deveca Rose, a 30-year-old mother, was sentenced to 10 years in prison after she left her two sets of twins to die in the blaze while she went shopping.

More than three years later, the community is still dealing with the emotional aftermath of the tragedy.

The Shocking Incident that Shattered the Community

On the fateful day of December 16, 2021, Rose left her children—Kyson and Bryson, aged four, and Leyton and Logan, aged three—locked inside the house while she went to buy non-essential items from a supermarket.

The children, who were left alone in a filthy home surrounded by rubbish and human excrement, tragically died after the house caught fire, believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette or a knocked-over tea light.

When emergency services arrived, the boys were pulled from the burning house unconscious and were given CPR.

Despite efforts to save them, the boys passed away from smoke inhalation later that night.

Neighbors recall the chilling scene of the children being resuscitated on the street while dressed in their pajamas.

Neighbours Reflect on the Devastating Tragedy

For many in the neighborhood, the fire and its aftermath remain an unspeakable trauma.

“The street was in shock,” said Ian Rooke, a retired distribution manager.

“It was ominously quiet, and the only sounds were the fire brigade and ambulance crew trying to save the children.”

The community was left reeling from the horror of the event, with many struggling to come to terms with the loss of four young lives.

One neighbor, Willem Blekkenhorst, a funeral director who lived near the family, expressed his sympathy for Rose.

He described the boys as “nice kids” who were always well-dressed and cheerful.

He said that they were typically seen with their mother, and that they had a strong bond as a family.

Blekkenhorst admitted, however, that the situation was complex.

“You lose your kids, four of them in one go,” he said.

“People think the worst of you, but nobody knows what happened.”

The Aftermath and Ongoing Impact on the Family and Neighbors

Despite the tragedy, life has slowly begun to return to the area.

In June 2023, a new family moved into the renovated home where the fire took place.

The new occupants acknowledge the sadness that still hangs over the property.

“There’s nothing scary; it’s just devastatingly sad,” one of them said.

“It’s a constant reminder, and all we can do is respect and honor it.”

A mural and bench dedicated to the boys’ memory now stand at the nearby Collingwood Recreational Ground, providing a space for quiet reflection and remembrance. Yet, for many who were directly affected, the trauma of that day remains difficult to discuss.

The Legal Consequences for Deveca Rose

Rose’s actions were met with widespread condemnation, and she was convicted of four counts of manslaughter.

In a tearful court appearance, Rose sobbed as victim impact statements were read aloud before she was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Rose claimed that she had left the children with a friend named Jade, but investigations revealed that this person did not exist.

It was revealed that Rose had left her children in unsafe conditions, with no regard for their well-being, and her decision to go shopping instead of caring for her children ultimately led to their untimely deaths.

As Rose begins her prison sentence, some neighbors, like Ryan, felt that justice had been served, though others, like Blekkenhorst, remain conflicted about the severity of the case.

The event has left the entire community in mourning, and the memory of the tragic loss of the four young boys will remain a part of Sutton’s history for years to come.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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