An elderly couple was tragically killed after a fire ripped through their Sussex farmhouse on Christmas Day.
Grandparents Frank, 90, and Madeleine Dougharty, 86, were found dead along with their dog Flash on the morning of Boxing Day.
The blaze, near West Chiltington, is believed to have started on Christmas Day, although fire crews were not called until 9am the next day.
An investigation has been launched to determine whether the fire was suspicious.
The cause of the flames – which destroyed the staircase, ceiling and roof of the house – has not yet been established.
The parents-of-four spoke to their daughter Ailsa to say happy Christmas hours before the fire broke out.
Son-in-law Kenneth Taylor, told The Sun: ‘It is a great shock. We were only speaking to them on Christmas.’
He added that the pair lived alone, although Frank suffered from health issues and has had a number of carers.
The grandad, who was born on the farm, has been described as ‘very active’ by neighbours.
Local resident Suzie Coe, 50, said the couple was the ‘heart of the community’.
She said: ‘It’s just an absolute tragedy. We knew them for 20 years. They were proper farmers, proper country folk.
‘They were the heart of the community. I feel so sad for their children.’
A joint Sussex Police and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service statement said: ‘’Sussex Police and West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service are continuing to investigate a significant residential fire which tragically claimed the lives of two people.
‘Emergency services responded to the incident in Harbolets Road, West Chiltington, at 9.10am on Saturday 26 December.
‘Fire engines from the local area arrived quickly at the scene and a section of the road was closed, and the fire was extinguished.
‘Two people were sadly confirmed deceased at the scene. Their bodies have since been recovered.
‘They are believed to be married couple Francis Dougharty, 90, and Madeleine Dougharty, 86, however they are yet to be formally identified.
‘Enquiries are ongoing, and a joint investigation will take place to determine the cause of the fire. We have no further information at this stage.’
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