A 13-year-old girl who died in a house fire in Ashford, Kent, has been named as Lily Kennedy. The blaze tore through her family home on White Admiral Way in Hamstreet on Sunday lunchtime, leaving her mother and another child in hospital.
Lily's aunt paid tribute to her on social media, calling her a 'princess'. She wrote: 'My poor niece, thoughts and prayers are with my poor brother and Lily's mum.' Family friend Aeryn Gower described Lily as 'always smiley' and said she would 'never be forgotten'.
Lily's father, Chris Kennedy, 49, set up a GoFundMe page to raise funds for her funeral. He wrote: 'Lily passed away after an awful fire that tore through hers and her family home leaving them with no home and a massive part of their hearts missing.' He described her as 'a wonderful happy full of life child'.
Kent Fire and Rescue Service sent six fire engines and a height vehicle to the scene. They said the 'intense' blaze had spread throughout the home. Neighbours tried to help before firefighters arrived but were unable to enter due to the strength of the fire.
An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway. The area remains cordoned off. In a statement, the fire service said: 'Our thoughts and deepest condolences remain with everyone affected.'
