‘The boys were always laughing’
Neighbours tell of caravan blaze horror which killed boy, 3, and left his brother, 4, fighting for life
POLICE were last night continuing their investigation into a caravan fire in which a threeyear-old boy died and his four-yearold brother was left critically ill.
Zac, three, was killed in the horrific fire on Sunday morning.
His older brother Harley remains in a critical condition.
The boys’ father, who was also taken to hospital, has been named locally as Shaun Harvey.
The fire broke out at the caravan at Ffair Rhos, between Aberystwyth and Tregaron in Ceredigion.
Pictures from the scene show the wreckage of the caravan close to a neighbouring building which has been damaged by flames.
Neighbours described the horrific events early on Sunday morning. Miriam Connolly said: “My husband
Sean came down to see what was going on.
“I knew something awful had happened. I was on the phone to the emergency services when I could see the reflection of flames. It was absolutely horrific.
“He [the dad] and the eldest son came in here and we gave them as much clothing and blankets as we could.”
“He had taken the eldest son into the main house and was going to back into the caravan for the other boy, but by then fire was just too much.”
“You just can’t describe it. It’s like something you would expect to see on the TV. The noise was horrific. The terror – you can’t describe it.
“The father is a lovely lad. I often saw the kids outside in the summer. Really lovely kids. Always laughing and giggling.”
A statement from the boys’ family, issued by police, said: “We would like to thank everyone for their kind words and support.
“We thank you for respecting our future privacy as we mourn the loss of Zac and focus on our son Harley who is still critical.”
Harley is understood to be fighting for his life in hospital where their dad is also being treated.
Emergency services were called to the caravan fire at Ffair Rhos, Ceredigion, at about 5.35am on Sunday.
Late yesterday afternoon, floral tributes were left at the scene of the blaze.
Matthew Potter, landlord of the Teifi Inn in the village of Ffair Rhos, said: “I know Shaun, he comes in here from time to time. He was in here with his kids the night before the fire.
“He’s a really nice guy, gets on with everyone locally.
“We just can’t believe it. We’re in shock.”
John Jones is a member of Ystrad Fflur Community Council and lives just outside the village of Ffair Rhos.
He said: “I had a phone call on Sunday lunchtime saying that there were a lot of police in the village, and then I was on my way to chapel when I found out what had happened.
“We are in total shock. You hear about these tragedies but when it happens on your doorstep you just can’t believe it.
“You just think of the families involved and of the loss of a young boy who was at the beginning of his life.
“We are hoping to set up a fundraising page to help the family in any way we can. It’s a very close knit community and we are all in despair. There were a lot tears in the village yesterday and we are all thinking of the family. We just hope and pray that the father and the other young boy will be OK.”
Oliver Langford, who lives two doors down from where the fire happened, was working in the local pub on Saturday night and was first made aware of what had happened on Sunday morning.
“It’s just awful what’s happened. The whole village is in shock and a state of sadness.”
Emergency services were called to the caravan fire at Ffair Rhos at about 5.35am on Sunday.
Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Cockwell of Dyfed Powys Police said: “We received a call at 5.35am today [Sunday, January 19], reporting a fire at a caravan at Ffair Rhos.
“Enquiries so far lead us to believe that three people were inside the caravan at the time the fire broke out.
“These were a father and two children – a four-year-old, and a little boy who we believe to have been aged three.
“While the father and the eldest child were able to get out of the caravan, the younger of the siblings was tragically found deceased inside.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this extremely difficult and traumatic time, and specialist officers have been put in place to support them.
“The father is currently in a stable condition in hospital, while the fouryear-old is critical but stable. Both suffered burns.
“The Criminal Investigation Department is investigating the cause of the fire, and a major incident room has been set up at Aberystwyth Police Station.”
He added: “We are also working
closely with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, who were in attendance when our officers arrived. We would like to thank our colleagues at the fire service for their professionalism in dealing with what turned out to be a highly traumatic incident.
“We would like to speak to anyone who was in the Ffair Rhos area around the time of the fire, who might have information that could help our investigation. This was a tragic incident, and we will be doing all we can to find answers for the family, whose world will have been torn apart by this morning’s events.”
■ If you have any information that could help officers, call the Criminal Investigation Department on 101, using Storm reference 39 of January 19.