No further action will be taken against a man arrested on suspicion of murder after three people including a four-year-old girl died in a horror Northamptonshire village fire. 

The 54-year-old was tonight released from custody with police saying in a statement that it now does not believe there is any evidence of ‘criminal wrongdoing’.

A 30-year-old woman, 23-year-old man, and four-year-old girl were all killed in a blaze at a historic property in the village of Rushton, near Kettering, on Friday evening. 

Northamptonshire Police’s investigation has been ‘working at pace’ with the force saying it was ‘only right that an incident such as this is treated with the utmost seriousness’. 

Emergency services were called to the fire at the Grade II-listed former station master’s house at around 10.30pm on Friday. 

Despite their efforts, three people were confirmed dead. Next of kin have been informed and are being supported by specially trained officers. 

One person was taken to hospital by East Midlands Ambulance Service following the fire and three police officers were assessed after inhaling smoke. 

Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service was still damping down the blaze throughout Saturday, after arriving on Friday night with pumps from across the county. 

In a statement released tonight, Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: ‘It is only right that an incident such as this is treated with the utmost seriousness, to make sure we have done all we can to understand what has happened for the sake of those who have died and their loved ones.

‘In some cases, this requires arrests to be made in order to best secure potential evidence.

‘Our team has been working at pace on this investigation and after rigorous examination of the available information, we do not believe there is any evidence of criminal wrongdoing at this point.

‘As a result the arrested man has been released without charge and will now be supported by specialist officers as he continues to assist the investigation team.

‘The families involved have been kept updated on this development and I would repeat our request for their privacy to be respected at this incredibly distressing time.’

Chief Inspector Paul Cash, of Northamptonshire Police, said earlier emergency services were working in ‘very difficult and dangerous conditions to safely and respectfully recover those who have died, and enable formal identification’. 

Shocking images show a large hole burned through the roof of the 19th-century building, the former station master’s house at the now-closed Glendon and Rushton railway station. 

It is now believed to be a residential property. It was previously derelict but had recently been completely renovated.

Specialist fire investigators and investigation dogs have been sent to support police investigations into the cause of the flames. 

The fire was so severe, the roof of the building caved in.  

Chief Inspector Cash said: ‘On Friday evening, the emergency services were called to a devastating fire on Station Road, Rushton that has tragically resulted in the deaths of three people.

‘We believe them to be a four-year-old girl, a 30-year-old woman and a 23-year-old man.

‘On behalf of everyone involved with responding to this fire, I would like to express our deepest and heartfelt condolences to the family, friends and loved ones of those who died.’ 

He said a ‘thorough investigation’ is underway, in collaboration with Northamptonshire Fire and Rescue Service, ‘to find the answers that their loved ones need and deserve’.

The families involved are being kept updated through their family liaison officers, he explained: ‘Our thoughts will remain with all of them at this incredibly difficult time.’ 

He added: ‘Although the emergency services are well trained and prepared for challenging situations, a job like this is still incredibly difficult for us all.

‘Those who responded to this call-out on Friday night, both emergency services and local residents, did all they could to try and help, and I would like to highlight their incredibly brave and selfless efforts.

‘I know how hard it was for everyone involved that they could not do more and I know their thoughts are with everyone affected.’ 

He thanked the community in Rushton for their ‘support and patience’ while investigations continue. 

The officer said: ‘We know this incident has caused significant distress locally and our officers will remain in the area to provide reassurance and help where we can.

‘On behalf of the families involved, I would ask that their privacy is respected at this difficult time.’

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of the East Midlands Special Operations Unit, said: ‘This is a heartbreaking situation and my thoughts, and those of everyone involved in responding to this fire, are with the people who died and those who love them.’ 

She also explained an ‘incredibly thorough and complex investigation’ is currently underway in collaboration with the county’s fire service.  

She said: ‘Due to the intensity of the fire we are managing a very challenging and dangerous scene, and are working with partners to safely and respectfully recover the deceased to enable formal identification to take place.’ 

The officer also thanked the Rushton community ‘for their assistance and patience while we continue our painstaking work’ – especially as the fire had caused ‘significant distress’ locally. 

She concluded: ‘If you have any information which could assist our enquiries and have yet to speak to us, please get in touch as soon as you can.’

Rushton Parish Council vice chair Mike Brightman said: ‘It’s a very sad day for the village, losing some of our residents in such a horrific way.’

MP for Kettering Rosie Writing said she was ‘saddened’ by the incident in a post on X.

She wrote: ‘I am saddened by this tragic fire and my thoughts are with the family and friends of those involved and everyone in the Rushton community.

‘Thank you to the emergency services who attended the scene.’

Anyone with information is asked to call 101, quoting incident reference 25000180391. The Major Incident Public Portal can also be used to submit information.