Seven members of the same family feared dead as fire tears through remote farmhouse
SEVEN people from a single family are feared dead after fire swept through their remote farmhouse.
Three children, aged 13, 12, and 10, escaped and one raised the alarm, but firemen arrived too late to save anyone else inside.
One victim was named locally as David Cuthbertson, 68, a father of nine. Police say “a number of people” were missing, with adults and children feared to have died.
The surviving children, who are being treated in hospital, have been told that family members were lost in the blaze. It is thought the family members were asleep when the fire started. Police are treating the cause of the fire as “unexplained”.
The family rented the large country home in Llangammarch Wells, Mid Wales, having moved to the village many years ago. Mr Cuthbertson was a former builder who had to stop working after falling from a ladder, injuring his back, eight years ago. Neighbours Ron, 73, and Rosemary Birchall, 68, said that they were “absolutely devastated” by his death.
Mr Birchall said: “I knew him as a good father and a gentle fellow. My wife would say he was an exceptional father.
“All the other villagers are upset by this because Dave has been in the village for about 15 years. Mrs Birchall added: “They were wonderful.” The property is almost a mile from the nearest main road, which caused the emergency services difficulties when they arrived shortly after midnight.
Dai Hancock, from the Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service, told reporters: “On arrival the attending crews were faced with a very difficult situation and did all they could in the circumstances. Our deepest sympathies go out to the family and residents of Llangammarch Wells following this tragic incident.” Chief Superintendent Richard Lewis, of Dyfed Powys Police, said: “There are a number of people unaccounted for at this time and we can confirm that there are known to be fatalities.”
He added: “Specialist scientists and fire investigators are still assessing the scene and at this time we are treating the cause of the fire as unexplained.”
The fire broke out on Monday night, during the half-term holiday.