A father remains critically ill in hospital after trying desperately to save his partner and their two children from a house fire.
Scott Peden, who is in his 30s, rushed back into the maisonette in the early hours of Friday morning to rescue Gemma Germeney, 31, and their kids Lily Peden, eight, and four-year-old Oliver Peden.
But Gemma, who had a "heart of gold", died at the scene and both children were declared dead in hospital.
"Gemma loved her kids to bits, she was a devoted mum and she had a heart of gold," a woman called Debbi, who lives in a neighbouring flat in King's Hedges, Cambridge, said today.
"We heard that her partner Scott had tried to rescue them all when the fire broke out in the middle of the night.
"He was a hero, but he couldn’t save them. Our thoughts and prayers are with him."
Around 30 firefighters from six crews battled the flames scorching through the council maisonette.
Police confirmed the deaths yesterday and said a man in his 30s - understood to be Scott - is in a life-threatening condition in hospital.
A young child from a neighbouring home was also admitted, but it is believed he was suffering from smoke inhalation and did not have any major injuries.
It is also believed the Peden family's two dogs were killed in the blaze, the cause of which has not yet been established.
Pictures on social media show the family together, with one seeing them dressed to the nines for Gemma's 30th birthday party.
Others show her and Scott sharing a cuddle and the kids celebrating little Lily's birthday.
A second neighbour, who witnessed the tragedy, said: "I was woken up by what I thought was a car alarm, but it must have been a smoke alarm going off.
"There was smoke billowing everywhere and I could see flames, and hear the sounds of windows smashing.
"I didn’t realise how serious it was until I saw some stretchers being wheeled out. It was absolutely horrific."
Another witness added that they had been woken by "screaming" before realising the "mayhem" that was unfolding.
In a statement, Area Commander Stuart Smith of Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service described the loss as "devastating".
He said: "It’s just heartbreaking.
"A fire like this is one of the toughest incidents you can attend as a firefighter."
Investigations into the cause of the fire are ongoing, the service confirmed.
A Cambridge City Council spokesperson said: “People will be shocked and distressed to hear about this incident in their local community and we are working to provide support to those people who have been directly affected, including the occupants of neighbouring properties.
"Our thoughts are with the victims, their loved ones and all of the people who have been affected."
An East of England Ambulance Service spokesperson added: "The ambulance service would like to extend its deepest sympathies to all those affected by this tragic incident."
