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Parents' tribute to fire children | Parents' tribute to fire children |
(1 day later) | |
The parents of two children who died in a house fire on Saturday have spoken about their loss. | The parents of two children who died in a house fire on Saturday have spoken about their loss. |
Stephanie Wojak, 15, and her eight-year-old foster brother Ben McAuliffe died after being rescued from their home in Ellacombe Church Road, Torquay. | Stephanie Wojak, 15, and her eight-year-old foster brother Ben McAuliffe died after being rescued from their home in Ellacombe Church Road, Torquay. |
Michael and Gill Wojak said they had lost two loving children. | Michael and Gill Wojak said they had lost two loving children. |
"It has just hit us watching other parents taking their kids to school - that a normal Monday morning will never happen again," a statement said. | "It has just hit us watching other parents taking their kids to school - that a normal Monday morning will never happen again," a statement said. |
"We will never walk them to school again." | "We will never walk them to school again." |
"We would like thank everyone for their kind words, the flowers and messages left at the house." | "We would like thank everyone for their kind words, the flowers and messages left at the house." |
Michael and Gill Wojak were rescued from the fire by two neighbours, who are to be nominated for bravery awards. | Michael and Gill Wojak were rescued from the fire by two neighbours, who are to be nominated for bravery awards. |
Their eldest son, 20-year-old Ricky, also escaped from the fire before the emergency services arrived. | Their eldest son, 20-year-old Ricky, also escaped from the fire before the emergency services arrived. |
Stephanie and Ben were rescued by firefighters and rushed to Torbay Hospital, where they later died. | Stephanie and Ben were rescued by firefighters and rushed to Torbay Hospital, where they later died. |
It is thought both children suffered cardiac arrests as a result of smoke inhalation. | It is thought both children suffered cardiac arrests as a result of smoke inhalation. |
Stephanie and Ben were well-liked by pupils at their respective schools | Stephanie and Ben were well-liked by pupils at their respective schools |
The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing, but it has been confirmed there were no smoke detectors in the house. | The investigation into the cause of the fire is continuing, but it has been confirmed there were no smoke detectors in the house. |
Stephanie 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". | Stephanie 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". |
Ben was fostered by the Wojaks when he was a baby. | Ben was fostered by the Wojaks when he was a baby. |
He was autistic, had learning difficulties and attended Combe Pafford special school. | He was autistic, had learning difficulties and attended Combe Pafford special school. |
The school's head teacher said he was a "well-liked lad who was doing well". | The school's head teacher said he was a "well-liked lad who was doing well". |
Speaking to BBC News, Group Commander Ray Harris from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service appealed to people to install alarms and check them regularly. | Speaking to BBC News, Group Commander Ray Harris from Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service appealed to people to install alarms and check them regularly. |
"I've worked for the fire service for 26 years and I personally have never been to a fire where someone has actually died where smoke alarms were fitted and working correctly," he said. | "I've worked for the fire service for 26 years and I personally have never been to a fire where someone has actually died where smoke alarms were fitted and working correctly," he said. |
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Lynne Plant said Jon Stokoe and another neighbour rescued the children's parents | Lynne Plant said Jon Stokoe and another neighbour rescued the children's parents |