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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Ryan Merrifield

Dad dies days after desperately trying to save son, 3, trapped in house fire

A dad has died two days after desperately trying to save his three-year-old son in a house fire.

The child was pronounced dead soon after the blaze on Saturday afternoon in Swansea, Wales.

The pair have been named locally as Lawa Efmahil, 51, and his son Mohammed, the Mirror can reveal.

Also in the house were Mohammed's mum, 39, and sister, 13, who were taken to hospital and treated for smoke inhalation.

The tragic toddler had just started at Whitestone Primary School's nursery, not far from his home in Gonhill on the West Cross estate.

The Kurdish family-of-five's middle child, another boy, is understood have been out of the house at the time of the fire, attending the Wales Airshow.

A fundraiser has been started for the family by Clare-Ann Mitchell, who lives nearby and whose children attend the same school.

Have you been affected by this story? Let us know at webnews@mirror.co.uk

The fire tore through the property on Saturday afternoon (Richard Swingler)

Clare-Ann said she had been asked by the local Muslim leader to help spread the message to "make prayer" for Lawa and Mohammed.

The money will go towards funeral costs and potential repatriation to the family's homeland.

A friend of hers lives directly opposite the Efmahil home and was in her house at the time of the fire.

She described what happened.

Clare-Ann told the Mirror: "The airshow was on that weekend on the Saturday, the first plane - the Typhoon - went over and was very loud.

"Then she said she just heard a bang, and she thought it was part of the airshow. Then she heard screaming, and then after that point it was blurry.

Witnesses have heard hearing a bang before the fire erupted (Richard Swingler)

"People running around trying to help. That's all she heard, a bang, then flames and smoke."

The GoFundMe page has already raised over £13,400 in less than two days.

Referring to how quickly money has been donated, Clare-Ann went on to say: "I think because they are well-known in the Muslim community, the mosques have jumped on board.

"I know they were very popular in that community. The little cul-de-sac they live in is very close-knit.

Flowers and other tributes have been laid at the scene (Jonathon Hill)

"The children all go to the same school, the parents all know each other. That road is devastated, broken."

She added: "I think losing a child has resonated with a lot of people. Losing a child in a fire is a worst nightmare for a parent."

Prior to Lawa passing away, Detective Inspector Carl Price, from South Wales Police, said yesterday: “Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of the young boy who sadly died at a house fire in West Cross, Swansea.

Clare-Anna Mitchell has set up a fundraiser for the family (Jonathon Hill)

“An investigation is continuing to establish the exact circumstances of the fire.

“We wish to acknowledge the efforts of the local community for the support being offered and provided to the family following this tragic incident.”

The cause of the fire, which was contained to one property, is unknown at this stage and a joint investigation is being carried out by police and the fire service.

Click here to donate to the GoFundMe campaign.

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