A 12-year-old boy has died in a flat fire in south-east London, the blaze broke out at the maisonette in Lewisham, shortly before midnight on Tuesday.
Fabian was pronounced dead at the scene early Wednesday morning. His former teacher described him as “a pleasure to teach,” adding that he loved football and captained his school team.
A 54-year-old woman, was taken to hospital with injuries that are not believed to be life-threatening. Three others managed to escape before firefighters arrived. One neighbour described seeing someone jump from a second-floor window into the communal garden below to escape the flames.
Witnesses reported hearing Fabian’s mother crying, “My boy, my boy, please help my boy,” as around 70 firefighters worked to bring the blaze under control just after midnight.
This is the second tragedy to hit the family after Fabian’s father died of cancer. Fabian’s aunt, Suezette Edwards, said: “We are all heartbroken… He was lovely. The family wanted him to be a doctor. He was also very good at football and a big Man United fan.”
His old teacher added: “He had a great heart. Always the captain, always up for everything. He was a talented footballer who could play any position. I taught him for seven years at primary school, and even later he’d still give me a big hug and tell me about scoring a goal. I wish all kids were like him.”
