This is the first picture of a schoolgirl who tragically died in a house fire that left her mother and another child in hospital.
Lily Kennedy, 13, described by her aunt as a ‘princess’, was killed when the raging inferno swept through her family home near Ashford, Kent, on Sunday lunchtime.
The blaze in the village of Hamstreet was so fierce that three firefighters were also hospitalised, and crews spent the day and night watering down the charred structure.
Neighbours desperately tried to enter the home but were ‘beaten back’ by the spreading flames, which are said to have started downstairs.
Posting a tribute on social media, Lily’s aunt Marie Louise said: ‘Rest in peace sweet girl Xx’, while later linking to a report on the blaze she added: ‘My poor niece, thoughts and prayers are with my poor brother and Lily’s mum.’
A GoFundMe page has been set up by a friend of Lily’s father.
The appeal read: ‘Please can people donate what they can for a close friend of mine who lost his little girl a wonderful happy full of life child, Lily at just aged 13.
‘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 RIP Lily …… all funds raised can give this little girl the send off she truly deserves x’
Meanwhile, family friend Aeryn Gower posted a tribute to Lily on social media which 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.’
The next of kin has been informed of Lily’s death.
Lily is the daughter of Chris Kennedy, 49, a keen amateur footballer who runs a small, independent media production company. Chris is originally from Oldham but now lives in Ashford.
Her mother is Annemarie Childs, who works as a tutor with vulnerable adults in Kent.
Ms Childs, 40, posted a series of pictures on social media of her and Lily underlining the deep bond they shared.
This morning the area around the house remained taped off and a lone police car was parked outside.
In an update Kent Fire and Rescue Service said: ‘Firefighters have extinguished all remaining hot spots at the scene of a house fire in White Admiral Way, in Hamstreet, Ashford.
‘KFRS technical rescue unit is in attendance, as well as two fire engines, and crews are working to make the property structurally safe. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
‘Our thoughts and deepest condolences remain with everyone affected.’
There had been reports that the fire had started in a wood burner in the house but this was dismissed by relatives of the family online.
Those living near to the semi-detached home in Kent rushed to the scene in a bid to extinguish the ferocious flames as they tore through the property just after midday.
Firefighters arrived on the scene to tackle the blaze which brought chaos to the sleepy village on Christmas weekend, with three rushed to hospital after suffering injuries, before being released later.
The windows on the ground floor were completely blown out in the fire as Christmas decorations lay deflated in the home’s front garden.
Six fire engines and a height vehicle were deployed to the property, where crews worked to extinguish the fire, which had spread quickly.
A probe into what caused the inferno continues, and photos of the scene show the charred remains of a home.
Neighbours said they tried to rush into the house to help out but the blaze was too strong.
One told Metro: ‘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.’
Ann Millington, chief executive of Kent Fire and Rescue Service (KFRS), said on Sunday night: ‘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.’
A Kent Police spokesperson 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 attended the scene and assisted Kent Fire and Rescue crews with closure of the road whilst they extinguished the fire.’
