4-Year-Old Boy Died Days After House Fire That Killed Dad, Who Ran Back Inside to Save Him
Ethan Mason sustained burns to 70% of his body, according to his aunt Jessie Wilson, who started a GoFundMe campaign following the deadly blaze
GoFundMe
Ethan MasonA 4-year-old boy and his father died after a fire tore through their home in England early on Sunday, April 14
Barry Mason, 45, went back into the burning home to rescue his son Ethan, per local reports
Both Barry and Ethan succumbed to the injuries they sustained in the blaze
A young boy has died days after a house fire in England, which also claimed his father's life.
“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," Detective Inspector Lee Gridley, from Greater Manchester Police's Wigan district, said in a statement according to The Independent.
“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," Gridley added. "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."
Police said the deadly blaze broke out at the home on Warrington Road in Wigan around 2:30 a.m. local time on Sunday, April 14, according to Manchester Evening News and The Independent.
At one point, witnesses saw 45-year-old Barry Mason run back into the burning home to rescue his 4-year-old son Ethan, ITV reported.
Ethan was rushed to a local hospital in critical condition, but died there on Wednesday, April 17. Barry also died as a result of his injuries.
Ethan sustained burns to 70% of his body, according to his aunt Jessie Wilson, who started a GoFundMe campaign for her sister’s family in wake of the tragedy. The young boy was in an induced coma while he was being treated at the hospital, she added.
“Hold your babies a little bit tighter because you just never know,” Wilson wrote in the fundraiser’s description.
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Six people were inside the building when the fire broke out, according to ITV.
The blaze is believed to have started in the kitchen, per the Evening News. The Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue is investigating the fire. Officials say the fire does not appear to be suspicious.
Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
Related: Brothers, 3 and 6, Dead After They Were Rescued from House Fire and Hospitalized: 'Our Heart Aches'
Additionally, the boy's aunt paid tribute to Ethan and Barry on her Facebook page.
"Little Ethan decided he didn’t want his daddy to be alone, and he is now back in his arms," she wrote. "As a family we are all completely broken but want to thank you, every single one of you, for your words of love and support."
More than £40,000 (about $49,794) have been raised for the Mason family via the GoFundMe campaign as of Wednesday afternoon.
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