Boy, 4, who died of injuries after hero father pulled him from house fire 'didn't want dad to be alone'

More than £36,000 has been raised by well-wishers after a house fire claimed the lives of a little boy and his dad.

Barry Mason, 45, died after running into the burning building to reach his son Ethan, aged four. The boy suffered 86% burns and was rushed to hospital, where he was placed in an induced coma but died on Tuesday. One of Ethan’s aunts, Jessica Wilson, has set up a GoFundMe page for the family, which has now raised more than £36,000.

In a Facebook post she wrote: “Our very own superhero. Barry, we are heartbroken. Such a gentle giant and a devoted Daddy until your last breath. Words will never describe just how grateful we are to you. Hold our baby tight up there.” In another post she wrote: “Little Ethan decided he didn’t want his Daddy to be alone, and he is now back in his arms As a family we are all completely broken but want to thank every single one of you for your words of love and support.”

Four other people were also injured in the fire, which is believed to have started in the kitchen. Flowers have been laid outside the house along with handwritten tributes and a child's Spiderman cushion. One resident said: ”There's been a huge wave of sadness.” Neighbours spoke of how they woke up to the sound of screams before emergency services descended on the scene at the semi-detached house.

Detective Inspector Lee Gridley, from Greater Manchester Police’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. I know 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."

The cause of the blaze, which broke out in the family home in Wigan, Greater Manchester, on Sunday, is still being investigated but is not believed to be suspicious. A statement from Greater Manchester Police read: "A four-year-old boy injured in a house fire on Warrington Road in Wigan at the weekend has now sadly passed away. Emergency services responded to reports of a house fire at around 2.30am on Sunday 14 April 2024.

“A 45-year-old man sadly died from his injuries on the day, with four other people receiving treatment. The four-year-old boy, who suffered serious injuries, died in hospital this morning. Following initial enquiries into the fire, officers do not believe 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."