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Child victims of house fire named Fatal house fire 'was accident'
(about 3 hours later)
Two children who died after a house fire on Saturday have been named as eight-year-old Ben McAuliffe and 15-year-old Stephani Wojak. A fire which claimed the lives of a brother and sister in Devon on Saturday is believed to have been an accident.
The pair - brother and sister - were rescued from their home in Ellacombe Church Road, Torquay, Devon, but both died later in Torbay Hospital. Eight-year-old Ben McAuliffe and Stephani Wojak, 15, died in hospital after being rescued from their home in Ellacombe Church Road, Torquay.
Neighbours who helped rescue Ben and Stephani's parents and brother have been praised for their heroism. Neighbours helped to rescue parents Michael and Gill Wojak and Ben and Stephani's 20-year-old brother Ricky.
An investigation into the cause of the fire has begun. Investigators have ruled out arson, but are still trying to find the cause want to know why the fire spread so quickly.
Police have appealed to anyone with information to contact them. Insp Glen Mayhew from Devon and Cornwall Police said it was being treated as a "tragic accident".
'Pillar of smoke' 'Special needs'
It is thought Stephani and her foster-brother suffered cardiac arrests as a result of smoke inhalation.
The area remains cordoned off, but floral tributes have been left outside the family's badly damaged home.
Stephani was a pupil at Westlands School in Torquay and head teacher Mike Stewart described the teenager as a "delightful girl who was liked by everyone."
Stephani's brother Ben, who was autistic and had learning difficulties, was fostered by Michael and Gill Wojak when he was a baby. Ben and Stephani were referred to as brother and sister.
Ben attended Combe Pafford special school.
Bravery nomination
Insp Mayhew said Ben's natural parents, who also live in Torquay, had been told of his death.
Emergency services were alerted at about 1030 BST on Saturday and eyewitnesses reported the windows of the house being blown out and a black pillar of smoke filling the sky.Emergency services were alerted at about 1030 BST on Saturday and eyewitnesses reported the windows of the house being blown out and a black pillar of smoke filling the sky.
The three rescued family members were taken to hospital, but they are not thought to be seriously hurt. Neighbours battled through fierce flames and thick smoke to rescue Mr and Mrs Wojak from an upstairs rear bedroom.
The house was badly damaged by the fire, which Group Commander Ray Harris described as "extremely intense". One climbed on to the roof of the house to pull Mrs Wojak out of a window while another man used a ladder to get inside the property and drag Mr Wojak out.
An employee at the nearby Sparkle laundrette said: "One minute the sky was blue then all of a sudden there was a thick black pillar of smoke filling the sky." The two men, who have been hailed as heroes, will be nominated for police and fire bravery awards.
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said early indications showed no smoke alarm had sounded in the house.
"Smoke alarms are proven to be invaluable at giving an early warning of fire, thereby reducing the severity of fires and saving lives," a spokesman said.
"Members of the public should ensure they install smoke alarms and test them regularly."
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A woman has told of how neighbours tried to rescue family members from a fatal house fireA woman has told of how neighbours tried to rescue family members from a fatal house fire