A young boy has died and his father is fighting for his life after a fire ripped through their family home in Swansea.
Emergency services rushed to the residence in Gonhill, West Cross around 1.20pm yesterday where a terrifying inferno had broken out.
Neighbours say the blaze is ‘every parents worst nightmare’ as the boy was trapped in the house. He hasn’t been named but locals say he had recently started school and was aged about four to five.
Ambulances took three people to Morriston Hospital, including the father who is in ‘serious condition’ with undisclosed injuries.
The mother and a sister are also being treated in hospital for smoke inhalation after the blaze.
A child has died and three others left injured after a fire ripped through a home in Gonhill, West Cross (pictured) around 1.20pm yesterday
Police and fire services have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the fire, which had been contained to just one property
Police and fire services have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the fire, which had been contained to just one house.
Footage taken after the blaze shows how fire fighters and investigators gathered probed the scene yesterday afternoon.
The home appeared to suffer damage to its interior and at least one broken window, but the full extent of the destruction remains unknown at this time.
Family friend Claire Mitchell said the victims ‘lost everything they held dear when the devastating fire engulfed their home.’
‘The flames claimed not only their possessions but also tragically took the life of their beloved little boy,’ she said.
‘The father is currently battling for his life in the hospital.’
A online fundraiser for the family has amassed more than £8,000 in donations since the devastating fire erupted yesterday afternoon.
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An officer works the scene of the fatal fire in Gonhill, West Cross yesterday afternoon
The GoFundMe page said: ‘In times like these, it is our duty as a community to come together and support those who have faced unimaginable losses. Every donation, no matter how small, will make a significant difference in their lives.
Local councillor Rebecca Fogarty said: ‘My heart absolutely goes out to the family after such a tragedy.
‘I would also like to thank the emergency services and members of the community who have already rallied around.
‘I’m not surprised at how much was raised because the community is very strong and close up in West Cross.
‘It’s everybody’s worst nightmare losing a child. Where the incident has taken place there are families who have lived there for generations and there is a real sense of people pulling together when things like this happen.’
A report will be compiled for the coroner and specialist fire investigators are due at the terraced property.
Footage taken after the blaze shows how fire fighters and investigators gathered probed the scene yesterday afternoon
The home appeared to suffer damage to its interior and at least one broken window
Detective Inspector Carl Price, from South Wales Police, said yesterday: ‘Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the child who has tragically died at a house fire in West Cross, Swansea.
‘Of the three others who were in the house at the time, one child and a woman suffered smoke inhalation, and one man is in a serious condition in Morriston Hospital.
‘An investigation is being carried out to establish the exact circumstances of the fire.
‘We wish to thank members of the community who helped at the scene and those who have come forward with information.’
