Fire death mum 'tried to save sons'

A mother whose two young sons died in a fire "did everything she could" to save them, she has said. Denise Goldsmith was released on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of the manslaughter and neglect of her two sons. The 29-year-old was arrested on Wednesday following the deaths of seven-year-old Lewis and five-year-old Taylor Jenkins. The boys died from inhaling fumes after a blaze broke out at their home in Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne, East Sussex, at around 3pm on Saturday. Police are not treating the fire as arson. Her solicitors released a statement saying Miss Goldsmith wished to "set the record straight" over speculation surrounding the fire which killed the two youngsters. The statement said: "There was no evidence to suggest that Miss Goldsmith left by the front door or that she locked herself out of the house, or that she was asleep when the fire started. "The truth is, she did everything she could to save her sons. Two male neighbours also tried in vain to rescue them. "She is a young woman who cherished her children and is now left devastated by their loss. She and her family are trying to come to terms with what has happened. It is difficult to envisage a more tragic situation." 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.

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ITN | October 11, 2008

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