A devastating house fire in Maerdy led to the tragic deaths of a pregnant woman and her newborn, along with four children. The incident remains shrouded in mystery and unanswered questions.
Maerdy: A tragic fire broke out in a cottage, taking the lives of a pregnant woman and four children. It was a heartbreaking scene that shocked the community.
On that fateful day, two families were staying in the same house. Mr. Hemmings and his wife were there with their baby, while the Rees family had four kids. It was a normal night until everything changed.
Mr. Hemmings woke up to the smell of smoke. He jumped out of bed and escaped through the window, leaving his infant behind. He didn’t even check for his wife, which raised eyebrows.
Meanwhile, Mr. Rees managed to get his wife and one child out. But when he went back for the others, thick smoke made it impossible to see. He was burned and pushed back by the flames.
He later described how he tried to save his kids. He rushed downstairs, but the fire spread too quickly. He even tried to get water, but it was no use. He called for his children, but they were trapped.
Sadly, his youngest daughter was found burned in bed. The other two girls tried to escape but were overcome by smoke. Mrs. Hemmings, in a desperate attempt to save her baby, gave birth to a stillborn child during the chaos.
During the inquest, a police officer revealed that Mr. Hemmings didn’t seem to care about his wife’s fate. He claimed she had the same chance to escape as he did. This left many questioning his actions.
The fire spread to nearby cottages, causing even more destruction. Thankfully, some residents managed to escape, but the tragedy left a mark on the community.
After the fire was put out, the bodies of the four children were found together in a corner. Even more heartbreakingly, Mrs. Hemmings was discovered in the cellar, holding her baby.
The coroner described the situation as “absolutely wicked” and criticized Mr. Hemmings. He also pointed out that the fire brigade struggled due to a lack of water supply. The community was left to grapple with this unimaginable loss.
