May hails ‘brave’ fire crews in mid-Wales blaze tragedy
PRIME Minister Theresa May has praised the “bravery and professionalism” of the emergency services who were called to deal with a fire at a farmhouse that is believed to have claimed the lives of a father and five children.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions, Mrs May described the fire, which broke out at a farmhouse in Llangammarch Wells, Powys, in the early hours of Monday, as a “tragic case”.
Dyfed-Powys Police said five children aged between four and 11 and one man were unaccounted for and are believed to have died in the property.
A neighbour raised the alarm shortly after midnight on Monday and three children, aged 13, 12, and 10, managed to escape.
The man who died has been named locally as David Cuthbertson, who was known as Dave and thought to be in his sixties.
Neighbours said he “doted” on the children.
Conservative MP for Brecon and Radnorshire Chris Davies asked if Mrs May would join him “in sending our sympathies to the family of the bereaved and also to the villages and the town of Llangammarch”, along with praising the work of emergency services who dealt with the “appalling tragedy with true dedication and professionalism”.
He said: “Earlier this week in Llangammarch Wells in my constituency a horrific farmhouse fire claimed the lives of a father and five young children. This has had a devastating effect, not just on the family but on the tight-knit community.”
Mrs May said she was sure everyone across the House would wish to send condolences to the family and friends of those affected.
“This was indeed a terrible tragedy that took place and it isn’t just the family themselves that have been affected by it, but the local community,” she said. “I know that the emergency services did sterling work, and I am also pleased to commend the work that they did and their bravery and professionalism in dealing with this issue.”
Mrs May said Secretary of State for Wales Alun Cairns had spoken to the police and would remain in touch over the coming days.
She added: “Our emergency services do an amazing job protecting us, we see this in so many instances, they never know when they are going to be called out to such a tragic incident.”
Mr Cairns also referred to the fire at the start of the questions to him during Oral Questions.
He said: “Before I answer the first question I would like to convey the thoughts and prayers of the whole House to the family and community in Llangammarch Wells, following the tragic fire earlier this week.”
On Monday Mr Cairns said he was “shocked” by the incident and had offered Dyfed-Powys Police support where possible.
The force has said investigators are unable to identify those who have died in the fire at this stage due to the severity of damage at the scene.
The surviving children are being supported by family members and police officers, while a fundraising page set up to help the family has so far raised more than £14,000.
There is also a collection bucket in the nearby post office and a clothing collection has been set up by Seven Sisters RFC in Neath.
Police are treating the cause of the fire as unexplained.
Family friend Mary Ann Gilchrist told the BBC: “It has been a horrific, shock, particularly when it involves so many children. Devastating.”
Parish priest the Rev Petra Beresford-Webb said the book of condolence and an area for lighting candles at St Cadmarch’s Church in Llangammarch was a space for people to go for silence or to write.