‘Screaming’ boy, 11, saved by heroic group of fathers after he was trapped in burning storage container – as teen, 13, is arrested over ‘attempted murder’
A screaming 11-year-old boy was rescued by a group of hero dads after he was trapped in a burning storage container at a rugby club.
The fathers, who were drinking in the club’s beer garden, heard his mother’s scream, climbed onto the burning container and helped her out of the small window.
A 13-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and arson after the little boy was found badly burned.
The child was taken to Morriston Hospital in Swansea, South Wales, and is said to be in a stable condition following the alleged attack last weekend.
The Trimsaran RFC Secretary, near Kidwelly in Carmarthenshire, said the woman heard the commotion and went to investigate.
He said: ‘That’s when he saw the little boy was stuck. ‘He stuck his head out a very small window but couldn’t get out.’
Lyn said the child ‘could not have lived’ without the courage of the fathers.
‘There was absolutely no way he could get out on his own,’ he said.
The fathers, who were drinking in the club’s beer garden, heard his mother’s scream and helped her climb onto the burning container and get out through a small window.
Firefighters were called to the scene at around 18.15 when dark smoke was rising from the container.
‘The fire was behind it and that was blocking the door. The only thing that could get him out was the small open window. It wouldn’t have been possible for him to get out without the help of being physically pulled up from above.
‘He had managed to get his head out but he was screaming and absolutely terrified. He was obviously in pain because he was hurt. They definitely saved his life.
‘They are all fathers with children of their own, some have grandchildren.
‘It didn’t occur to me to consider letting him stay there.’
Dyfed-Powys Police said the storage container was believed to have been deliberately set on fire on Saturday afternoon.
The 13-year-old boy was released on bail while the investigation continues.
Trimsaran village club is best known as the home club of rugby legend and BBC commentator Jonathan Davies.
Firefighters were called to the scene at around 18.15 when dark smoke was rising from the container.
In a statement, Trimsaran RFC said: ‘I’m sure many people are aware that there was an issue at our sites on Saturday afternoon where one of our storage containers was set on fire which caused a lot of damage to our equipment. [sic].
‘The real issue is that a young boy was trapped inside and was only able to get out thanks to the heroism of some of our club members.’
The club thanked its members and emergency services for their work in responding to the fire.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the storage container was believed to have been deliberately set on fire on Saturday afternoon
A Dyfed-Powys Police spokesman said: ‘Dyfed-Powys Police received reports of a fire at Trimsaran Rugby Club at around 6.15pm on Saturday 23 May.
‘It was claimed that a container was deliberately set on fire, causing great damage to the container and its contents. An 11-year-old boy was seriously injured during the incident and is in a stable condition in hospital.
‘A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of arson and attempted murder. They were released on conditional bail. The investigation continues.”
A Mid and West Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: ‘At 6.15pm on Saturday 23 May, Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews from Llanelli, Pont-iets and Kidwelly Fire Stations were mobilized to an incident at Trimsaran Rugby Social Club.
‘Crews responded to a fire involving a shipping container used for storage. Crews used two breathing apparatus sets, two hose reel jets, e-draulic emitters, ladders and thermal imaging cameras to extinguish the fire. The fire spread to the neighboring building and affected its roof.
‘It is thought that the fire was started deliberately.
‘The team left the scene at 7.56pm.’
