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Mother and daughter die in fire Mother and daughter die in fire
(9 minutes later)
A mother and daughter have died in a house blaze which injured three other children and two firefighters.A mother and daughter have died in a house blaze which injured three other children and two firefighters.
The victims were named locally as Michelle and Courtenay Thomas. Police said they were aged 32 and four.The victims were named locally as Michelle and Courtenay Thomas. Police said they were aged 32 and four.
Neighbours said the boys hurt at the house in Townhill, Swansea, on Thursday evening are the girl's brothers. One, aged 12, is critically ill.Neighbours said the boys hurt at the house in Townhill, Swansea, on Thursday evening are the girl's brothers. One, aged 12, is critically ill.
There are reports that the mother got two of the boys out before going back into the house for her daughter.There are reports that the mother got two of the boys out before going back into the house for her daughter.
The other brothers are aged 15 and nine.The other brothers are aged 15 and nine.
All the family is devastated by this tragic event Denis Sullivan, a relative of Michelle Thomas, picturedAll the family is devastated by this tragic event Denis Sullivan, a relative of Michelle Thomas, pictured
The 12-year-old suffered 30% burns and the effects of smoke inhalation. He is on a ventilator at the city's Morriston Hospital, said Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust.The 12-year-old suffered 30% burns and the effects of smoke inhalation. He is on a ventilator at the city's Morriston Hospital, said Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University NHS Trust.
He underwent emergency surgery overnight and is expected to receive further surgery.He underwent emergency surgery overnight and is expected to receive further surgery.
The trust said his two brothers also suffered from the effects of smoke inhalation and the nine-year-old had been treated for minor burns.The trust said his two brothers also suffered from the effects of smoke inhalation and the nine-year-old had been treated for minor burns.
A family member, Denis Sullivan, said: "All the family is devastated by this tragic event. We would ask the press and media to respect our privacy as we try and come to terms with the tragedy." Emergency crews were called to the house in Gwent Gardens at 1810 BST on Thursday.A family member, Denis Sullivan, said: "All the family is devastated by this tragic event. We would ask the press and media to respect our privacy as we try and come to terms with the tragedy." Emergency crews were called to the house in Gwent Gardens at 1810 BST on Thursday.
The two firefighters were taken to Morriston Hospital with minor injuries and have since been discharged.The two firefighters were taken to Morriston Hospital with minor injuries and have since been discharged.
The children's father was reported to have been at work at the time of the fire.The children's father was reported to have been at work at the time of the fire.
The reports that the mother got two of the boys out before going back into the house will be checked with a CCTV camera which is across the street.The reports that the mother got two of the boys out before going back into the house will be checked with a CCTV camera which is across the street.
Police and fire officers at the scene of the tragedy on Thursday nightPolice and fire officers at the scene of the tragedy on Thursday night
Assistant chief fire officer Wyn Edwards, of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said hydrocarbon detector dogs were being deployed to determine whether accelerants played any part in the blaze.Assistant chief fire officer Wyn Edwards, of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said hydrocarbon detector dogs were being deployed to determine whether accelerants played any part in the blaze.
"At this stage there is no suggestion that anything suspicious happened," he said."At this stage there is no suggestion that anything suspicious happened," he said.
"It is a tragic incident and we need to get to the bottom of it.""It is a tragic incident and we need to get to the bottom of it."
One neighbour reported hearing a big bang and said it could have been windows smashing.One neighbour reported hearing a big bang and said it could have been windows smashing.
Dulcie Thomas said: "There was black smoke everywhere. It is unbelievable how quick it happened. In a matter of ten minutes the house was an inferno.Dulcie Thomas said: "There was black smoke everywhere. It is unbelievable how quick it happened. In a matter of ten minutes the house was an inferno.
"Some of the neighbours tried to put a ladder up to a window and kicked a back door down but there was nothing they could do. It was so hot. I have never seen anything like it.""Some of the neighbours tried to put a ladder up to a window and kicked a back door down but there was nothing they could do. It was so hot. I have never seen anything like it."
I heard the little girl was playing in the street and wanted to carry on playing but the mother brought her in just before it happened Tanya Staton, Townhill residentI heard the little girl was playing in the street and wanted to carry on playing but the mother brought her in just before it happened Tanya Staton, Townhill resident
Swansea student Jamie Norman, 16, said he and a friend tried to put a ladder up to the top window to rescue the family.Swansea student Jamie Norman, 16, said he and a friend tried to put a ladder up to the top window to rescue the family.
"It was impossible to get in. The fire was coming out of the side of the house and the stairs were on fire. The fire brigade couldn't even go in," he said."It was impossible to get in. The fire was coming out of the side of the house and the stairs were on fire. The fire brigade couldn't even go in," he said.
"I tried going in myself but it was impossible. I knew the little girl because she used to play with my nephew. She was lovely and had a wise head on her.""I tried going in myself but it was impossible. I knew the little girl because she used to play with my nephew. She was lovely and had a wise head on her."
Another Townhill resident, Tanya Staton, said the woman who died in the blaze had been complaining about her boiler. The four-year-old girl attended the local Gors nursery school, she added.Another Townhill resident, Tanya Staton, said the woman who died in the blaze had been complaining about her boiler. The four-year-old girl attended the local Gors nursery school, she added.
"I heard the little girl was playing in the street and wanted to carry on playing but the mother brought her in just before it happened," said Ms Staton."I heard the little girl was playing in the street and wanted to carry on playing but the mother brought her in just before it happened," said Ms Staton.
Keith Atkins, the head teacher of Gors nursery school, said: "She was a lovely little girl, quiet, quite shy, just beginning to come out of herself in full-time education now.Keith Atkins, the head teacher of Gors nursery school, said: "She was a lovely little girl, quiet, quite shy, just beginning to come out of herself in full-time education now.
"She loved joining in with activities and singing. She was incredibly well behaved and well mannered.""She loved joining in with activities and singing. She was incredibly well behaved and well mannered."
The firefighters showed great bravery and acted without a thought for their own safety Wyn Edwards, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue ServiceThe firefighters showed great bravery and acted without a thought for their own safety Wyn Edwards, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service
Mr Atkins said there would be a special assembly in her memory on Monday.Mr Atkins said there would be a special assembly in her memory on Monday.
Townhill councillor Nick Bradley said the community would pull together and support the family.Townhill councillor Nick Bradley said the community would pull together and support the family.
He said: "There are a lot of very distressed people but local people will be unified and do everything in their power to support the family."He said: "There are a lot of very distressed people but local people will be unified and do everything in their power to support the family."
The last fire service appliance left the scene at 0405 BST on Friday and police maintained a presence there throughout the night.The last fire service appliance left the scene at 0405 BST on Friday and police maintained a presence there throughout the night.
Mr Edwards said of the injured firefighters: "They were faced with a very serious fire in the property, with flames escaping from the windows and doors.Mr Edwards said of the injured firefighters: "They were faced with a very serious fire in the property, with flames escaping from the windows and doors.
"Our fire crews did actually enter through the flames, receiving burns as they did in an attempt to rescue the people still inside."Our fire crews did actually enter through the flames, receiving burns as they did in an attempt to rescue the people still inside.
"The firefighters showed great bravery and acted without a thought for their own safety.""The firefighters showed great bravery and acted without a thought for their own safety."
Anyone with information can contact South Wales Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.Anyone with information can contact South Wales Police on 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.