Neighbours tell of horrifying screams as schoolboy, 8, died in house fire – with three others rushed to hospital

AN EIGHT-year-old schoolboy has died after a fire broke out inside a house.

One neighbour told how they heard children "screaming" and saw firefighters ";banging down the door to get the boy."

The resident, who wishes to be anonymous, said: "I knew them, they were a nice family, lovely kids and what has happened is a real shame.

"My daughter got me up and said 'Mum, I can hear kids screaming and can smell smoke'.

"So we flew out and saw the neighbours were helping to get the family out of the house.

"The mum and her other children were out of the house by the time firefighters arrived.

"Then the firemen were banging down the door to get the boy, but he sadly died.

"It was terrifying to see this happening, particularly when you're getting woken up in the early hours of the morning and don't know what's going on.

"They are a lovely family and a bad thing has happened to them, I just hope they can get through it."

Three people were rushed to hospital after the blaze ripped through a property in Birkenhead, Merseyside.

Another neighbour, who also wishes to be anonymous, said they know the boy's family and his sister were playing in their garden the day before the incident.

They said: "We slept all the way through it, so didn't know what had happened until later on.

"We're quite close to the family and their little girl was in our garden the day before it happened.

"My other daughter is close to her.

"They're quite a close-knit family with relatives all over the estate."

Firefighters were called to the Beechwood Estate at around 1.48am on August 4.

When the emergency services arrived, three people were outside the property having leapt from the first floor windows.

North West Ambulance Service (NWAS) and Merseyside Police also attended.

An eight-year-old boy was rescued from inside by firefighters.

Despite the best efforts of paramedics and fire crews, he was pronounced dead a short time later.

Tributes have been paid to the youngster on social media, with people describing the incident as "very sad."

One person said: "Very sad to hear, R.I.P little one."

Another person said: "How very sad for his family, too young to leave us.

"Condolences to his family and friends."

Someone else commented: "RIP little one. Forever eight."

Three people are being treated in hospital but their injuries are not considered to be life-threatening.

An investigation carried out between Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police revealed the fire was accidental.

Chief Fire Officer Phil Garrigan who attended the incident said: “This has been a very tragic incident, with an incredibly sad outcome despite the best efforts of my crews.

“Our thoughts are very much with the family, friends and loved ones of the young boy at this time.

“We also know the impact that an incident like this will have on the local community and share our heartfelt condolences.

“I would like to commend the efforts of my fire control team and fire crews who acted so quickly to rescue the young boy and North West Ambulance Service colleagues who made every effort to provide emergency resuscitation."

As part of a reassurance campaign, firefighters and MFRS prevention staff will visit the area in the coming days to provide fire safety advice and carry out free home fire safety checks.