A woman whose husband ran into a burning building to try and save a four-year-old girl has spoken of his heroic efforts.
Steven Common, 58, sprinted into the property in Kingsley Road in Lynemouth, Northumberland, after the blaze broke out on Monday just after 9.30pm.
The brave neighbour, who saw the flames, hurried into the home and crawled on his knees to try saving the child who tragically died.
Tributes have been paid to the girl, describing her as ‘happy and smiley’, while floral tributes were placed along with the message: ‘You have touched the hearts of the whole village.’
A woman in her 20s and a two-year-old girl also received medical treatment at the scene before being taken to hospital. Both today remained in stable conditions.
Steven’s partner Karen Coulson, 68, has now told of the horror as well as his attempted rescue intervention, saying: ‘He went in with a wet tea towel and was crawling on his hands and knees.
‘He got to the sofa but had to stop because of the heat and the ceiling was falling down.
‘The mother was really distressed and I asked her where her child was – she told me she was in the kitchen.
Neighbours have been placing tributes after a four-year-old girl died in a house fire in Lynemouth, Northumberland, on Monday night
Flowers and balloons have been laid at the scene in Kingsley Road
The blaze at the property was reported to emergency services just after 9.30pm on Monday
‘I told Steven and we got the house pipe and tried to put it out. It was horrible because we knew she was inside but we couldn’t do anything – he did try his best but he couldn’t go any further.
‘We couldn’t get in the other entrance to the house because the door was locked and the flames were so high.
‘We were trying to get everyone out of the other houses and banging on the doors because that one was on fire.’
She described her partner as feeling ‘battered today’, adding: ‘God knows what the young family are going through. The mam is still in hospital.’
Mr Common’s daughter Elizabeth praised her father as ‘very brave’, adding: ‘I don’t think many people understand it was him that tried his best to get the little girl out.
‘I walked past the house and smelled smoke but I thought it was a log burner as a lot of homes have them – then I saw the windows were red and shouted for help.’
Elizabeth also paid tribute to the child who died, saying: ‘She was a lovely little girl, happy and smiley. They were quiet as a family – they would pop to the park or you would see them going for a walk.’
Fellow resident Carrie Scott said: ‘It’s still so surreal. We are all here for the mam.’
Rainbow-coloured balloons have been tied to railings close to where the tragedy happened
Northumbria Police, called to the scene on Monday, have appealed for informatio
Another neighbour, who did not want to be named, said: ‘I heard the sound of the fire engines. I saw the flames and realised there was a fire. Everyone was out in the street. One of the neighbours who lives across the road ran in trying to save them.
‘He was one of the first on the scene. That’s going to affect him for a long time. It’s just a bairn – my heart breaks for them.
‘People in the community want to support them – they want to start a fund for the mother.’
Another neighbour John Brewis, 62, said: ‘I heard the sirens coming. There were three fire engines and three police cars. I think it was a tragic accident.’
Floral tributes have been left outside the smoke damaged home, along with a teddy bear and balloons.
One message read: ‘Forever young, precious. You have touched the hearts of the whole village.’
Another stated: ‘Sleep tight little angel. Taken far too soon. You’re in all our thoughts and prayers. God bless you all.’
A police cordon was today still in place outside the home, with one police vehicle at the front and another to the back of the property.
Officers have appealed for information relating to the blaze at the property in Lynemouth
Det Chief Insp Louise Jenkins, the senior investigating officer on the case for Northumbrian Police, has said: ‘This is an absolutely devastating incident in which a young girl has tragically lost her life.
All of our thoughts and condolences are with her family and friends at this incredibly difficult time.
‘Inquiries remain at a very early stage, and with the support of our partners from Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service we are determined to establish exactly what happened.
‘We are asking anyone with information – no matter how small or insignificant it may seem – to come forward and share what they know.’
Anyone with information has been urged to get in touch with the force by sending a direct message on social media or using live chat and report forms on the Northumbria Police website.
