The death of two young brothers in a house fire on Saturday was likely to have been a "tragic accident", police said.

The youngsters, named by police as seven-year-old Lewis and five-year-old Taylor Jenkins, were found by firefighters as they tackled a blaze at their home in Eastbourne, East Sussex.

As the investigation into the blaze continued, Eastbourne commander chief inspector Dick Coates said it was not being treated as suspicious.

He added: "Initial indications do not suggest anything other than this being a tragic accident, but I have to keep an open mind on this until a full investigation of the scene can be conducted."

The mother of the boys, named by neighbours as Denise Goldsmith, visited the scene to lay flowers on Sunday.

She was taken to the Eastbourne District General Hospital following the incident, but was released after being treated for minor injuries.

Ms Goldsmith was too upset to comment on the deaths of the boys and had to be restrained by her family from entering the house, which remains cordoned off while investigations into what caused the fire continue.

Forensics officers could be seen coming in and out of the end-of-terrace property along with fire investigators from East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service (ESFR) who erected an inflatable tent outside to allow them to examine anything they brought out.

A team of detectives from the Sussex Police Major Crime Branch are investigating the circumstances that led to the deaths with post mortems examinations yet to take place.

Speaking outside the house, Eastbourne District Commander, Chief Inspector Dick Coates said it would take a number of days to establish what had caused the fire but it was not being treated as suspicious.

He said: "This is a very tragic incident and my thoughts are with the boys' family and friends.

"At the present time it is not known how this fire started. This will take a number of days to establish, working in partnership with our colleagues from the ESFR.

"Initial indications do not suggest anything other than this being a tragic accident, but I have to keep an open mind on this until a full investigation of the scene can be conducted.

"I would like to reassure residents that this is a very rare occurrence. The loss of anyone's life is tragic enough, but for us to lose such young children from our community is a tragic blow."

Neighbours and friends continued to leave flowers and tributes outside the house to the "lovely little boys" who were said to be pupils at nearby Shinewater Primary School.

A message inside one of the bouquets read: "To Lewis and Little Mr T, our thoughts are with you little guys.

"We'll miss your playful shouts and the sight of you on your bikes or wrestling in the grass."

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