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Mother and daughter die in fire | Mother and daughter die in fire |
(31 minutes later) | |
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. | |
Neighbours said the boys hurt at the house in the Townhill area of Swansea on Thursday evening are the girl's brothers, aged 15, 12 and nine. | |
There are reports that the mother got two boys out before going back into the house for her daughter. | |
Emergency crews were called to the house in Gwent Gardens at 1810 BST. | Emergency crews were called to the house in Gwent Gardens at 1810 BST. |
An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire, although there is no suggestion that it was suspicious. | An investigation is under way into the cause of the fire, although there is no suggestion that it was suspicious. |
The two firefighters were taken to the city's 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 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 from the property. | |
Det Insp Simon Davies of Swansea CID said: "We are working with fire and forensic investigators to establish a cause of the fire at Gwent Gardens in Townhill yesterday evening. | |
"A trained family liaison officer is currently working to support the family at this tragic time." | |
Back window | Back window |
Leticia Gambatessa, who lives next door, said she was first aware of the blaze when she smelt smoke and heard the screams of the eldest boy. | Leticia Gambatessa, who lives next door, said she was first aware of the blaze when she smelt smoke and heard the screams of the eldest boy. |
Police and fire officers at the scene of the tragedy on Thursday night | |
"I went out to the back and he was dangling from a back window," she said. | "I went out to the back and he was dangling from a back window," she said. |
"I went to get a ladder to give it to him but by the time I came back he had jumped. | "I went to get a ladder to give it to him but by the time I came back he had jumped. |
"Outside the house there was lots of commotion." | "Outside the house there was lots of commotion." |
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. |
Assistant chief fire officer Wyn Edwards, of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said of the injured firefighters: "They were faced with a very serious fire in the property, with flames escaping from the windows and doors. | Assistant chief fire officer Wyn Edwards, of Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, 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. |
"This is a tragic incident and all our thoughts go out to the family and friends of those who are suffering as a result of this tragedy." | "This is a tragic incident and all our thoughts go out to the family and friends of those who are suffering as a result of this tragedy." |
Four Mid and West Wales Fire Service crews from Swansea Central, Swansea West, Morriston and Pontardawe stations were called to the scene. | Four Mid and West Wales Fire Service crews from Swansea Central, Swansea West, Morriston and Pontardawe stations were called to the scene. |
A fire service spokeswoman confirmed at about 2130 BST on Thursday that the blaze had been put out. | A fire service spokeswoman confirmed at about 2130 BST on Thursday that the blaze had been put out. |
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. |