Boy, 4, dies after saved from house inferno by his dad - who also died

A four-year-old boy who was severely injured during a devastating house inferno, which also claimed the life of his hero father who rescued him, has died.

Ethan Mason was pulled from the building in Wigan after his ‘dad ran back inside to save his little boy’, his family said. Tragically, his father, aged 45, died from his injuries.

The youngster was left critically injured and fighting for his life, having suffered 86 per cent burns to his body, his aunt Jessica Wilson said on a GoFundMe page.

He was placed into an induced coma and underwent major surgery, but he died in hospital on Tuesday morning, police said.

Four other people are still receiving treatment for their injuries. Greater Manchester Police added.

Ethan Mason was saved from the his burning home on Sunday after his ‘dad ran back inside to save his little boy’, his family said. The four-year-old died in hospital on Tuesday, police said

Detective Inspector Lee Gridley, from GMP’s Wigan district, said: ‘This is a devastating incident and all of our thoughts are with the family of this young boy, who had his entire life ahead of him.

‘Together with the earlier death, this is a tragedy for the Wigan community and I know that many people will be shocked by this heartbreaking news. I hope people will join us in sending their absolute best wishes to all those involved in this incident, as they begin their journey in the healing process.’

Emergency services responded to reports of a house fire at around 2.30am on Sunday, with neighbours reportedly being woken by the sound of screaming.

The raging fire engulfed the semi-detached home, with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service confirmed the first broke out in the kitchen before then spreading to the roof.

Ethan’s aunt Jessica said the youngster’s father ran back into the blazing home to rescue his trapped lad.

Writing on a GoFundMe page, which has raised almost £18,400 since the blaze, Jessica said: ‘We are all absolutely heartbroken, but my sister and her other children have lost absolutely everything.’

Emergency services responded to reports of a house fire at around 2.30am on Sunday, with neighbours reportedly being woken by the sound of screaming.

Following initial enquiries into the fire, officers do not believe that there are any suspicious circumstances involved.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue are continuing to investigate the causes of the fire and are in regular contact with officers.

‘While we are not treating the incident as suspicious, if anyone has any information they believe is important, please do get in touch with us. You can do this by calling police on 101, quoting log 393 of 14/04/2024,’ added Det Insp Gridley.

The family have asked for their privacy as they come to terms with their loss, and have asked for people to respect their grieving process, police said.

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