‘Sweet’ girl killed after neighbours rush in to burning home in Kent village

3 weeks ago .
Tragic Death in Hamstreet Blaze Heartbreaking news from Kent as 13-year-old Lily Kennedy lost her life in a devastating house fire near Ashford just days after Christmas. The blaze tore through the family home in the sleepy village of Hamstreet on Sunday lunchtime. Lily, described by her aunt as a 'princess', died in the inferno, while her mother Annemarie Childs and another child remain in hospital. Neighbours desperately tried to enter the burning house but were beaten back by fierce flames that are believed to have started downstairs. Firefighter Injuries and Ongoing Investigation The fire was so intense that three firefighters were hospitalised after tackling the blaze, though they have since been released. Kent Fire and Rescue Service confirmed crews spent hours extinguishing hot spots and working to make the property structurally safe. ???An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway,??? said KFRS, offering condolences to those affected. Family Tributes and Community Support Lily???s aunt, Marie Louise, took to social media, saying: ???Rest in peace sweet girl Xx. My poor niece, thoughts and prayers are with my poor brother and Lily's mum.??? A GoFundMe page launched by a friend of Lily???s father is raising funds for her funeral. The appeal reads: ???Lily was a wonderful, happy, full of life child. All funds raised will give this little girl the send off she truly deserves.??? Family friend Aeryn Gower added: ???I am beyond sad to hear this news. She was always smiley and knocking on our door wanting to play. She will never be forgotten.??? Fire Details and Local Reaction Lily???s father, Chris Kennedy, 49, a keen amateur footballer and media producer, lives locally. Her mother Annemarie, 40, is a tutor for vulnerable adults in Kent. The fire gutted the semi-detached home, with six fire engines and a height vehicle deployed to the scene. Firefighters extinguished the blaze while neighbours could only watch helplessly. Christmas
13-year-old Lily Kennedy lost her life in a devastating house fire near Ashford just days after Christmas.
(Picture: UKNIP)

A young girl has died despite neighbours rushing into a burning house to save her.

Lily Kennedy, 13, died in hospital after firefighters attended the blaze at the semi-detached home in Hamstreet near Ashford just after midday on Sunday.

The ground floor windows had been completely blown out by the blaze, while Santa and Rudolph sleigh decorations lay deflated in the front garden.

Another child, believed to be a teenage boy, was rescued from the property and remains in hospital.

UKNIP Crews are currently responding to a house fire in Hamstreet, Ashford. People living or travelling near this area are being advised to close windows and doors due to smoke coming from the incident and to also stay away from the area. Six fire engines and a height vehicle are currently in attendance and crews are working hard to contain the fire and extinguish the flames. Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.
Residents in the area have been advised to close windows and doors to avoid inhaling smoke from the blaze (Picture: UKNIP)

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Three firefighters also suffered minor injuries in the blaze, but have been released.

Lily’s aunt Marie Louise said: ‘Rest in peace sweet girl.’ She added: ‘My poor niece, thoughts and prayers are with my poor brother and Lily’s mum.’

Family friend Aeryn Gower posted a tribute to Lily read: ‘I am beyond sad to hear this news.

‘She was always smiley and knocking on our door wanting to play. She will never be forgotten.’

An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently ongoing.

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Ann Millington, Kent Fire Rescue Service’s Chief Executive, added: ‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with everyone affected by this tragic incident, especially the child’s loved ones.

‘We understand this will be a distressing time for the local community and support is available at a welfare hub set up at Hamstreet Village Hall.’

An investigation into the cause of the fire is currently ongoing.

Six fire engines are currently at the scene battling the inferno, as crews work to bring it under control.

Neighbours reported desperately trying to enter the home but being ‘beaten back’ by the flames.

One said: ‘It started downstairs and spread really quickly.

‘There was nothing we could do at that point.

‘It was really bad. We were all beaten back.’

UKNIP Crews are currently responding to a house fire in Hamstreet, Ashford. People living or travelling near this area are being advised to close windows and doors due to smoke coming from the incident and to also stay away from the area. Six fire engines and a height vehicle are currently in attendance and crews are working hard to contain the fire and extinguish the flames. Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.
Six fire engines attended to the blaze which blew out the ground floor windows (Picture: UKNIP)

A statement from Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Crews are currently responding to a house fire in Hamstreet, Ashford.

‘People living or travelling near this area are being advised to close windows and doors due to smoke coming from the incident and to also stay away from the area.

‘Six fire engines and a height vehicle are currently in attendance and crews are working hard to contain the fire and extinguish the flames.’

UKNIP Crews are currently responding to a house fire in Hamstreet, Ashford. People living or travelling near this area are being advised to close windows and doors due to smoke coming from the incident and to also stay away from the area. Six fire engines and a height vehicle are currently in attendance and crews are working hard to contain the fire and extinguish the flames. Please share this information with any loved ones in the area who may be affected but do not have access to the internet.
Neighbours said they attempted to enter the property but were ‘beaten back’ by the flames (Picture: UKNIP)

A spokesperson for Kent Police said: ‘Kent Police was called at 12.22pm on Sunday 28 December 2025 to reports of a fire at a house on White Admiral Way in Hamstreet.

‘Officers are in attendance and are assisting Kent Fire and Rescue crews with closure of the road while they extinguish the fire.’

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