A four-year-old boy has died in a house blaze in south Wales despite attempts by firefighters and neighbours to save him.
The boy, named locally as Jac Davies, was in an upstairs bedroom of the house with his three-year-old brother when the fire broke out early on Wednesday.
Jac’s mother, Jennifer Davies, 28, raised the alarm at 1.40am and managed to escape with her six-year-old daughter and 11-month-old son.
Neighbours attempted to reach the boys, but were beaten back by smoke and flames. Four firefighters went into the house in Alltwen, near Pontardawe in the Swansea valley, and reached the boys, but Jac was pronounced dead at the scene.
Jamie Mills, a neighbour, said: “I heard shouting in the street, and when I heard someone was getting a ladder I knew it was serious. I ran straight out there, and you could see a bit of smoke upstairs. Some boys tried to get through the back door and a brick was thrown through the window. I tried to get in the front door.”
Another neighbour said: “I woke up and heard screaming. It was terrible. One of the neighbours tried to get upstairs to rescue them, but couldn’t. There was too much smoke. He was a lovely boy.”
Chris Margetts, senior operations manager for the fire service, said: “When we got there ... two young children were still inside. Crews went in with breathing apparatus and rescued the children – a three-year-old boy and [a] four-year-old boy. Unfortunately, the four-year-old did not make it.
“It was a fully developed fire and it was quite hot and challenging. It was a very confusing scene – when the crews got there, there were other guys, neighbours, trying to get into the property to effect a rescue.
“The thoughts and sympathies of the fire service are with the family and the community of Alltwen at this tragic time. It’s a very close-knit community, and we will have specialist teams working to support them.”
DCI Esyr Jones, of Swansea and Neath Port Talbot CID, said: “We are continuing to jointly investigate the fire. A scene examination is taking place by police and fire investigators to establish the cause, which at this stage is not known.
“A number of local people were involved in the rescue of the family, but tragically a four-year-old boy died at the scene. I would like any witnesses or anyone involved at the scene who have not yet spoken to police to come forward with any information they may have.”
A tribute left at the scene signed from “mammy” said: “My handsome big blue eyed boy, your my life, my world, my everything and will never ever forget your beautiful blonde curls. Go ride your train up to heaven and wait for me. Save a bit of that light for me, and we will see each other again one day I promise.”
Another card left with some flowers said: “So sad to hear you are sadly gone. Harry will miss you, seeing you smile and playing with you at school. Gone too young.”
