Police probe as boy, 3, dies in caravan blaze

ATHREE-YEAR-OLD boy has died in a caravan fire in Ceredigion and his four-yearold brother was last night fighting for his life in hospital, where their father is also being treated.

Emergency services were called to reports of a caravan fire at Ffair Rhos, Ceredigion, at about 5.35am yesterday.

Dyfed-Powys Police said a father and two children aged four and three were inside the caravan when the fire broke out.

A spokesman said while the father and eldest child were able to escape, a three year-old boy was found dead inside.

The boy’s father was last night in a stable condition in hospital while

the four-year-old was described as “critical but stable” after both suffered burns.

The family are being supported by specialist officers.

Detective Chief Superintendent Steve Cockwell said: “We received a call at 5.35am [on Sunday] reporting a fire at a caravan at Ffair Rhos.

“Inquiries 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.”

He added: “The father is currently in a stable condition in hospital, while the four-year-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.

“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.”

■ Anyone with information is asked to contact Dyfed-Powys Police Criminal Investigation Department on 101 using Storm reference 39 of January 19.