Dad & 4 kids feared dead in farm blaze
A SINGLE dad and four of his children were last night feared dead after a devastating fire ripped through a farmhouse as they slept.
Children, aged 13, 12 and 10, escaped yesterday’s blaze unharmed but David Cuthbertson, 68, and four more youngsters are thought to have been killed.
The survivors were being treated in hospital for non-life threatening injuries.
Heartbroken neighbours Ron, 73, and Rosemary Birchall, 68, said former builder David had brought up the seven children after his wife suffered a stroke and moved away.
They said David, who had lived in the village for about 15 years, had to stop work after falling from his ladder and injuring his back eight years ago.
Ron said: “We are close neighbours. My wife always talked to Dave so she is devastated. I knew him as a good father and a gentle fella. All the other villagers are upset.
“The kids were well presented and they used to pass us every day. It really is very sad. Rosemary said it’s the worst day of her life.”
Emergency services were alerted after one of the children ran to a neighbour’s to raise the alarm.
Mountain rescue workers are thought to have spent more than eight hours helping firefighters look for bodies in the rented home in Llangammarch Wells, Powys.
The blaze was so severe that police were unable to identify the deceased, confirm numbers or explain how it started. Local councillor Tim Van-rees said: “Our hearts go out to the members of the family who must be feeling in the depths of despair. It is truly an appalling tragedy.”
Dai Hancock, from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: “Our deepest sympaabsolutely Police at scene thies go out to the family and residents of Llangammarch Wells following this tragic incident.”
One villager said: “The couple who lived there both had children from previous marriages and relationships. “Older children living in the house used to come and go. It must be very difficult for the police to determine who was there at the time.”
It is understood the three surviving children have been told several members of their close family have been lost.
Police have spoken to the property’s owners, Matthew and Lucretia Callan, who rented it to the family and were at the scene yesterday.