This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/devon/8313001.stm
The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Fatal house fire 'was accident' | Fatal house fire 'was accident' |
| (19 minutes later) | |
| A fire which claimed the lives of a brother and sister in Devon on Saturday is believed to have been an accident. | A fire which claimed the lives of a brother and sister in Devon on Saturday is believed to have been an accident. |
| Eight-year-old Ben McAuliffe and Stephani Wojak, 15, died in hospital after being rescued from their home in Ellacombe Church Road, Torquay. | Eight-year-old Ben McAuliffe and Stephani Wojak, 15, died in hospital after being rescued from their home in Ellacombe Church Road, Torquay. |
| Neighbours helped to rescue parents Michael and Gill Wojak and Ben and Stephani's 20-year-old brother Ricky. | Neighbours helped to rescue parents Michael and Gill Wojak and Ben and Stephani's 20-year-old brother Ricky. |
| Investigators have ruled out arson, but are still trying to find the cause want to know why the fire spread so quickly. | Investigators have ruled out arson, but are still trying to find the cause want to know why the fire spread so quickly. |
| Insp Glen Mayhew from Devon and Cornwall Police said it was being treated as a "tragic accident". | Insp Glen Mayhew from Devon and Cornwall Police said it was being treated as a "tragic accident". |
| 'Special needs' | 'Special needs' |
| It is thought Stephani and her foster-brother suffered cardiac arrests as a result of smoke inhalation. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | Ben attended Combe Pafford special school. |
| Bravery nomination | Bravery nomination |
| Insp Mayhew said Ben's natural parents, who also live in Torquay, had been told of his death. | 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. |
| Neighbours battled through fierce flames and thick smoke to rescue Mr and Mrs Wojak from an upstairs rear bedroom. | Neighbours battled through fierce flames and thick smoke to rescue Mr and Mrs Wojak from an upstairs rear bedroom. |
| 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. | 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. |
| The two men, who have been hailed as heroes, will be nominated for police and fire bravery awards. | The two men, who have been hailed as heroes, will be nominated for police and fire bravery awards. |
| Mr and Mrs Wojak and their eldest son were treated in hospital for the effects of breathing in smoke. They have since been released. | |
| Advertisement | Advertisement |
| A woman has told of how neighbours tried to rescue family members from a fatal house fire | A woman has told of how neighbours tried to rescue family members from a fatal house fire |