Zim woman and child die in car fire in UK

A woman and her 16-year-old son both believed to be of Zimbabwean origin died in a car fire on Tuesday evening in Thorpe Bay, Essex.

The woman (yet to be named) is said to have been telling those around her that she will kill herself. Its understood that she has been having a difficult time with her boyfriend.

According to "The Echo", fire crews from Southend and Shoebury were called to the scene in Thorpe Esplanade on Tuesday night.

The firefighters battled the flames but could not save those inside the car.

The crews were first called to the incident at about 5.20pm.

The fire was put out by 5.50pm, but two people died at the scene.

Detectives are now working to confirm the names of the people who died.

An Essex Police spokeswoman said: "At this stage the deaths are being treated as unexplained and an investigation has begun to establish the events leading up to the car fire."