Mother on Trial Over Deaths of Four Sons in London House Fire
A 29-year-old mother stands accused of killing her four young sons in a horrific house fire in Sutton, South London. Deveca Rose faces manslaughter charges after her four boys, aged three and four, died in the blaze in December 2021.
Smoke Alarm Dead as House Filled with Rubbish and Excrement
The Old Bailey heard the fire started from either a discarded cigarette or an upturned tea light. It quickly spread after igniting rubbish piled 20cm deep on the living room floor and a sofa. The horrific scene included not just mountains of rubbish but also human excrement.
Rose failed to replace the battery in the smoke alarm, which was found dead on a first-floor landing. Firefighter Darren Woodhams revealed the rubbish fueled the fire’s deadly spread.
Mother Left Kids Alone While Shopping, Court Told
The court was told Rose left her boys unattended while she went shopping at Sainsbury’s. She had shouted and sworn at the children earlier that day and did not ensure the smoke alarm was working before leaving.
Four frantic 999 calls were made after a neighbour was alerted by a passerby banging on their door. Firefighters arrived quickly but could not save the boys, who were found unconscious and later pronounced dead despite CPR attempts.
Family in Social Services Spotlight Before Tragedy
Rose denies all charges, claiming she left the children with a woman named ‘Jade’ during her shopping trip. She is not attending court in person due to eye problems but is following proceedings remotely.
Social services had previously worked with the family but closed their case after Rose failed to cooperate. The trial continues amid grim courtroom evidence, prompting fresh concerns about parental responsibility and child safety in the home.
