THE inquest has been opened into the deaths of two teenagers who died alongside a toddler in a house fire in Honiton.
Rosie Bennellick,17, and her partner Andrew Gunn, 18, died from serious injuries sustained in the blaze on Friday morning along with three-year-old Harvey Bennellick.
At Exeter County Hall this afternoon the inquests into Rosie and Andrew's deaths were opened by coroner Elizabeth Earland. It is understood Harvey's inquest is being held elsewhere.
Since their deaths tributes have been pouring in for the three victims and the town of Honiton and the wider Devon community have been rallying around to try and help the family.
And at 3.30pm today Dr Earland began the formal proceedings that will look at what caused their deaths.
She opened with the inquest of Andrew Gunn who was staying at his girlfriend's house when the fire tragically took hold.
A statement was read out by his mother Wendy Ann Gunn, which said: "At 15.30pm on Monday 8 April 2013 I attended the chapel of rest at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where I positively identified to the coroner's officer the body of my son Andrew Gunn, who was born on 20 May 1994."
A statement from the coroner's officer Louisa Jones read: "On the morning of 5 April 2013 two patients, one of whom was believed to be Andrew Gunn, were conveyed by ambulance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital after they were removed from a house fire at 5 Lee Close, Honiton.
"Their conditions deteriorated and their deaths were confirmed later that day in hospital."
Dr Chandler carried out a post mortem of Andrew Gunn on the morning of April 10 but no cause of death was given.
Andrew's inquest was then adjourned for further enquires.
Dr Earland then proceeded to open the inquest of Rosie Bennellick, the 17-year-old partner of Andrew Gunn. She declined to name her despite the police already releasing details alongside a photo and lengthy tributes from her family.
Dr Earland said she would be referring to her as Child A throughout proceedings to "protect the other children involved" but no official order banning identification was made.
She then read a short statement from the girl's mother, which read: "On Tuesday 9 April I attended the chapel of rest mortuary at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital accompanied by a police officer. At 15.13 I identified the body of Child A who was my daughter."
A post mortem was carried out on 10 April but again, no cause of death was given out. The hearing was adjourned for further enquires.
To read tributes to the three victims of the fire click here.
Rosie Bennellick,17, and her partner Andrew Gunn, 18, died from serious injuries sustained in the blaze on Friday morning along with three-year-old Harvey Bennellick.
At Exeter County Hall this afternoon the inquests into Rosie and Andrew's deaths were opened by coroner Elizabeth Earland. It is understood Harvey's inquest is being held elsewhere.
Since their deaths tributes have been pouring in for the three victims and the town of Honiton and the wider Devon community have been rallying around to try and help the family.
And at 3.30pm today Dr Earland began the formal proceedings that will look at what caused their deaths.
She opened with the inquest of Andrew Gunn who was staying at his girlfriend's house when the fire tragically took hold.
A statement was read out by his mother Wendy Ann Gunn, which said: "At 15.30pm on Monday 8 April 2013 I attended the chapel of rest at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital where I positively identified to the coroner's officer the body of my son Andrew Gunn, who was born on 20 May 1994."
A statement from the coroner's officer Louisa Jones read: "On the morning of 5 April 2013 two patients, one of whom was believed to be Andrew Gunn, were conveyed by ambulance to the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital after they were removed from a house fire at 5 Lee Close, Honiton.
"Their conditions deteriorated and their deaths were confirmed later that day in hospital."
Dr Chandler carried out a post mortem of Andrew Gunn on the morning of April 10 but no cause of death was given.
Andrew's inquest was then adjourned for further enquires.
Dr Earland then proceeded to open the inquest of Rosie Bennellick, the 17-year-old partner of Andrew Gunn. She declined to name her despite the police already releasing details alongside a photo and lengthy tributes from her family.
Dr Earland said she would be referring to her as Child A throughout proceedings to "protect the other children involved" but no official order banning identification was made.
She then read a short statement from the girl's mother, which read: "On Tuesday 9 April I attended the chapel of rest mortuary at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital accompanied by a police officer. At 15.13 I identified the body of Child A who was my daughter."
A post mortem was carried out on 10 April but again, no cause of death was given out. The hearing was adjourned for further enquires.
To read tributes to the three victims of the fire click here.
