Farm inferno horror
Four children and Scottish father feared to have died as they slept
FIVE members of the same family were feared dead last night after a fire tore through their farmhouse while they slept.
Three children aged 13, 12 and ten were able to escape the i nferno unharmed and banged on their neighbour’s door screaming for help.
Fire crews arrived at the detached house, near the village of Llangammarch Wells, mid-Wales, shortly after midnight to find a scene of devastation.
The house was reduced to a smouldering shell in a matter of minutes, its roof completely removed. Police said the blaze was so severe they are not yet sure how many people died.
Investigators are trying to work out what caused the fire and why it took hold of the property with such speed and ferocity.
Last night one of the victims was named locally as Scots-born David Cuthbertson, a 68-year-old retired builder.
Villagers said Mr Cuthbertson rented the converted farmhouse as a single father to seven children, four of whom are feared dead. He had lived in the village for around 15 years.
Mr Cuthbertson, originally from Kilbarchan, Renfrewshire, is known to have had at least two wives and nine children.
He first married in 1966 and had four children including a set of twins. He married again in 1982 and had five more children, at least two of whom have married and live in the same Welsh village. His last wife Judith moved to Greece three years ago.
Mr Cuthbertson lived in Hampshire before he relocated to Wales. It is understood some of the children in the house were his stepchildren. Neighbours said some of them were older and not living there permanently.
Police are trying to establish who was in the house on the night of the tragedy.
Ron Birchall, 73, said: ‘ We are close neighbours and Dave would always acknowledge us whether he was in the
‘Absolutely devastated’
car or walking. My wife always talked to Dave so she is absolutely devastated. I knew him as a good father and a gentle fella. My wife would say he was an exceptional father. ‘All the other villagers are upset by this. Dave used to be a builder but suffered an accident up a ladder, fell off and injured his back.
‘His wife had a stroke and was incapacitated for a while. She moved away. The kids were well presented and they used to pass us every day. It really is very sad.’
Mr Birchall’s wife Rosemary, 68, said it was the worst day of her life, adding: ‘He was a single father with seven children. They were wonderful.’ Another local said: ‘There were older children living in the house but they used to come and go.’
Forensic teams were still sifting through the remains of the property last night.
Police have spoken to the owners of t he property Matthew and Lucretia Callan, who rented it to the family. They were at the scene yesterday but Mrs Callan was too upset to comment.
Chief I nspector Martin Slevin, of Dyfed Powys Police, said: ‘There are a number of people unaccounted for and we can confirm that there are known to be fatalities.
‘Due to the severity of dam- age, we are unable at this stage to identify any of the deceased or confirm numbers. Scientists and fire investigators are still assessing the scene prior to further investigation.’
He added: ‘Upon arrival the house was ablaze and three children, aged 13, 12 and ten, were able to escape.
‘They are being treated in hospital but do not have life threatening injuries. At this time we are treating the cause of the fire as unexplained.’
Kirsty Williams, Welsh assembly member for Brecon and Radnorshire, said: ‘This is devastating news in such a close-knit community. I’d like to express my deepest sympathies to those affected and thank the emergency services for their assistance.’