Dad's 20-word heartbreak as his 'beautiful' daughter dies in horror Manchester house fire

A grief-stricken father has described a horror which killed his daughter as "a tragic accident".

after a raging inferno broke out at Ramsden Farm, a cluster of upmarket homes in Middleton, Greater , in the early hours of Sunday.

Loved-ones have since flooded social media with tributes to the 37-year-old mum, whose family is being supported by specially-trained officers. The mum's four children, including twin baby boys, all escaped the inferno without serious injury, it is believed.

Now Kate's devastated father, Peter Cropper, has spoken for the first time. Speaking at his home in New Moston, Manchester, just ten minutes from where his daughter lived, Mr Cropper said: "It's a tragic accident. That is all I want to say at this time. I don't want to comment further."

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The house, neighbours said, was recently put up for sale, with signs appearing outside "four or five weeks ago". An online listing for the house put its value at £1.2million. The listing has now been removed, according to the .

On Tuesday, as forensic officers remained at the scene combing for evidence, shocked neighbours paid tribute to the mother of four. Carol Duggan, who lives nearby, said: "I got up at 5am because I couldn't sleep. It was very bright outside and I went to see what was going on. There were fire engines. In the morning I walked down and saw it had been cordoned off. She seemed a nice person, very chatty. I was totally shocked when I found out it was her.

"I only spoke to her a couple of weeks ago when she was walking home with the children. She was very friendly. I would be walking with the dog and she would be walking with the children. I spoke to her every time I saw her. It's terrible."

Another neighbour said the incident was a "tragedy", adding: "It's absolutely horrendous, how sad. Those poor babies. There are no words." A local added: "She had two girls and two boys. The boys were twins. She was really nice. I would say 'hello' to her every time I saw her. She was a very nice lady."