Two children, aged seven and 11, have died in a suspected double homicide at a home in Stoke-on-Trent, police said.
Staffordshire Police said a 49-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of murder following the deaths of a girl and boy.
Officers were called to a car wash on Campbell Road just after 2pm after reports of an assault involving a man and a woman.
A man in his 40s was taken to hospital by paramedics from the West Midlands Ambulance Service and has since been released.
Police then went to a home on Flax Street to arrest a 49-year-old woman and found the children inside injured and unconscious.
Despite the best efforts of paramedics, both children, whose names are not known, died at the scene, police said.
The woman, who was known to the children, was arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody.
Detective Chief Inspector Cheryl Hannan, of Staffordshire Police, said: “Our thoughts are very much with the children’s family and friends.
“I can’t imagine the pain and shock they feel.
“We also understand the local concern about this incident and the speculation about what happened.
“We can now confirm that the two people who died are an 11-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl.
“Our priority was to inform the family before confirming the age of the children. They are currently supported by specially trained agents.
“The arrested woman is known to the children. We do not believe there is a greater threat to the public at this time.
“Our focus remains to learn more about what happened yesterday and to support the family during this deeply distressing and tragic time.”
Detectives have requested all information and are particularly interested in CCTV or dashcam footage of the Flax Street and Campbell Road area between 1.30pm and 2.30pm on Sunday, and to hear from anyone in the area at that time.
