The tragedy of little Ethan Mason, 4, who ‘didn’t want his dad to be alone’

The family of a four-year-old boy who tragically died from his injuries after a devastating house fire in Wigan said he “didn’t want his dad to be alone”.

Ethan Mason sadly died in hospital yesterday morning (Tuesday, April 17) after the fire tore through his Warrington Road home in the early hours of Sunday morning. The youngster was in an induced coma after being rescued when “his father ran back inside to save his little boy”.

Sadly, his father Barry Mason, 45, also died in the fire. Following the news of Ethan’s death yesterday, his aunt Jessica posted a tribute to the little boy on her Facebook page.

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She said: “Little Ethan decided he didn’t want his dad to be alone and now he’s back in his arms. As a family, we are all completely devastated, but we want to thank each and every one of you for your words of love and support.”

She has set up a fundraising page to support the family left behind after the tragedy. Jessica added: “Please respect our family’s privacy at this time and allow us to grieve this terrible loss.

“Please, if you can, keep donating as devastatingly. Now we have two funerals to arrange and so many costs to cover after the fire destroyed not only my beautiful sister’s life but everything she and the children had.”

The fire is believed to have started in the kitchen of the house on Warrington Road before spreading to the roof. At the time, there were six people in the family home.

At the scene of yesterday’s tragedy, bouquets of flowers were laid outside the house, along with handwritten tributes and a Spider-Man pillow for the children. The fatal incident left those living nearby “devastated”.

“There was a huge wave of sadness,” said one woman, who lives with her family along Warrington Road. “People can say what they want about this place, but the community comes together.

“They are a beautiful family. It must be so awful what they are going through.”

Following initial investigations into the fire, police do not believe suspicious circumstances were involved. Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue are continuing to investigate the cause of the fire and are working with the police.

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

“Along with the previous death, this is a tragedy for the Wigan community and I know many people will be shocked by this heartbreaking news. I hope people will join us in sending our best wishes to everyone involved in this incident as they begin their journey of healing.

“While we are not treating the incident as suspicious, if anyone has any information they believe is relevant, please contact us. You can do this by calling the police on 101 quoting log 393 of 14/04/2024.”

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