Dad and 4 children feared dead in blaze
A SINGLE father and four of his seven children were feared dead last night after a devastating blaze which ripped through a farmhouse as they slept.
David Cuthbertson, 68, was believed to have been killed at the remote property along with more than half his children.
Police, who were scouring the scene, said “a number of people” were still missing.
Three children, aged 13, 12 and 10, escaped to survive the fire in Llangammarch Wells, Powys, MidWales.
Neighbours Ron Birchall, 73, and his wife Rosemary, 68, said the father brought up the seven children alone after his wife suffered a stroke and moved out.
Devastated
Mr Birchall added: “We are close neighbours and Dave would always acknowledge us whether he was in the car or walking.
“My wife always talked to Dave, so she is absolutely devastated.
“I knew him as a good father and a gentle fellow.
“My wife would exceptional father.
“All the other villagers are upset by this because Dave has been in the village for about 15 years.
“He used to be a builder but suffered an accident up a ladder, fell off and injured his back.
“We think he was electrocuted and it threw him off the ladder.
“His wife had a stroke and was say he was an incapacitated for a while. She moved away and couldn’t bring up the kids. The kids were well presented and they used to pass us everyday. It really is very sad.”
A villager, who did not want to be named, said: “The couple who lived there both had children from previous marriages and relationships.”
Others said the family had moved there from the south of England.
The scale of the fire led the farm- house roof to cave in and the inside was gutted. It is understood Mr Cuthbertson had been renting the £ 250,000 property.
Emergency services were alerted to the blaze after midnight early yesterday by one of the youngsters who managed to escape to a neighbour’s house to raise the alarm.
A police spokeswoman said: “Due to the severity of damage at the scene we are unable at this stage to identify any of the confirm numbers.
“Just after midnight Dyfed- Powys Police were notified by Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service that there was a house fire at a property at Llangammarch Wells.
“Upon arrival the house was ablaze and three children aged 13, 12 and 10 years were able to escape.
“They are being treated in hospital but do not have life- threatening deceased or injuries. However, there are a number of people unaccounted for at this time.
“We can confirm that known to be fatalities.
“At this time we are treating the cause of the fire as unexplained.”
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.” there are