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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Tim Hanlon

Heartbreaking tributes to boy, 3, killed in blaze alongside dad who tried to save him

A school has paid tribute to a "popular, well-loved little boy" who died along with his dad in a house fire at their home in Swansea.

Muhammad Esmael, aged three, had only recently started at Whitestone Primary School where he was taken to classes by his shopkeeper dad Naemat, known as Lawa, aged 51.

In the tragic house fire Lawa was unable to rescue his son from the fire and he also died in hospital from his injuries.

Mum Sharmeen Ahmed, 39, and a 13-year-old girl were also being treated in hospital for smoke inhalation after the blaze while the family's other son was not at home at the time.

A school spokesperson said: "All of us at Whitestone Primary School are devastated to hear that one of our nursery pupils, Muhammad Esmael, as well as his father, has tragically died.

Muhammad Esmael was a pupil at Whitestone Primary School (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

"Our thoughts are with their family and friends and we offer our sincere and deepest condolences. Muhammad was a popular, well-loved little boy who was settling in well to school life and making many friends.

"We are a very close and caring school community and this will be a difficult time for us all, so support is being put in place for any pupil or staff member that needs it."

In a letter to parents, headteacher Bethan Peterson wrote: "Many of you will be aware that tragically there was a fire at a residential property within our community on Saturday.

"I am desperately sad to say one of our nursery pupils died and members of his family are receiving hospital treatment. Our thoughts are with his family and friends and we offer our sincere and deepest condolences."

Videos posted online showed Mohammad playing with a hairdryer at his home and dad Lawa stood proudly outside his greengrocer shop.

Lawa Esmael also died in the fire (WALES NEWS SERVICE)

One tribute said: "May their souls rest in peace," while another said: "May Allah forgive them and grant them paradise."

Family friend Claire Mitchell, who has set up a fund to help the family, said she knew someone who lived on the same cul-de-sac and saw the fire.

She said: "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.

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

Fire ripped through the Swansea home (Richard Swingler/WALES NEWS SERVICE)

Claire said the family were also "well-known in the Muslim community" and many people had contributed to the fundraising appeal.

She said: "I know they were very popular in that community. The little cul-de-sac they live in is very close-knit. The children all go to the same school, the parents all know each other. That road is devastated, broken. 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."

Her online appeal read: "They 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. The father is currently battling for his life in the hospital."

Police said an investigation was being carried out to establish the exact circumstances of the fire which was contained to one house.

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."

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