Meadow Springs house fire: Neighbours recount attempts to save boy from Carnoustie Gardens home

Neighbours have recalled the moment they desperately tried to get into a burning home, which tragically claimed the life of a “little angel” just before Christmas. Christmas tinsel and lights remain hanging on the only portion of the home not left gutted at the Carnoustie Gardens home in Meadow Springs after a blaze ripped through the brick and tile house on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters braved the extreme heat and pulled the four-year-old boy from the home before it was gutted by fire. Despite the efforts of first responders at the scene, he could not be revived and died at Peel Health Campus. Two other children, a teenage male and a female child, managed to escape the home and were taken to Peel Health Campus for smoke inhalation. They have since been discharged from the hospital. The arson squad continued to examine what led to the fire on Monday with investigators operating drones, grabbing bags of evidence from the home, and digging through piles of ash. The ordeal has left the community heartbroken with people leaving flowers for the young boy. “Fly high with angels little one. Our hearts are broken,” a note left on a bouquet of flowers read. Neighbours on the friendly street have been left shaken after they did everything they could to try get the boy out of the home. Andrew Peckover, who is a former volunteer bush firefighter, said he and his wife Tammy came out the front to find a wall of black smoke. “I couldn’t get in through the front door so I smashed through the gate on the side and went out the back,” he said. “We managed to get to the laundry door out the back but there was already a bit of heat there. “We yelled out to the kid and hoped for the best but there was no response from inside the house. “You beat yourself up a bit about what could you have done better but at the end of the day we did what we could. I just feel bad for them so close to Christmas.” Loretta Westcott’s family also tried to help after the other two children escaped the burning home. “Tiles were cracking, flames were coming through the roof,” she said. “Firefighters got here as soon as they could and I just told them there was a child inside. “I’m so sorry such a young little angel had to go back to heaven. It’s not easy losing a child and its 10 times harder this time of year.” Neighbour Christine Hayes broke down in tears on Monday and urged the community to help the young family. “We’ve got bags of clothes for the family,” she said. “They’ve lost their baby and its just devastating and heartbreaking. “Everyone in the street was trying to get that baby out.” Ms Hayes said she had given the kids icy poles on hot days previously and that her dog enjoyed playing with them. “It’s not Christmas in this neighbourhood.” The West understands authorities are investigating whether the children — who are all relatives — were playing with either matches or a lighter in a bedroom. On Sunday, Department of Fire and Emergency Services district officer Andrew Seuren said the home had been “completely gutted”. “The whole roof has collapsed down and every room has been involved by fire,” he said. “We would just like to remind our community members to please be mindful of playing with matches and always ensure they have a working smoke alarm that will help get those occupants of the house out early when there is a fire,” he said. Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti said her “heart goes out” to the family impacted by the tragedy. “It’s just horrific,” she said. “I can’t even explain in words the pain and anguish they’ll be going through.”