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Tragedy as boy, 3, dies in massive backyard fire caused by an exploding barbecue when his dad popped in to get meat for the grill – leaving his family distraught
- A three-year-old boy was killed in a fire in the backyard of a Melbourne home
- The boy and his father were cooking on Saturday night
- Neighbors heard an explosion and ran outside to see a plume of smoke
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A young child has died in a fire that swept through a suburban backyard after an explosion while cooking with his father.
Roland Sakhawang, three, was killed around 6 p.m. Saturday in the fire that broke out at a house on Belle Vue Avenue in Ringwood, Melbourne.
Firefighters were called to the horror scene that engulfed a barn and only found the toddler’s body after putting out the fire.
The family is part of Melbourne’s Burmese community with many relatives, friends and church members visiting the home on Sundays.
Roland Sakhawang, three, was killed around 6 p.m. Saturday in a fire that broke out at a house on Belle Vue Avenue in Ringwood, Melbourne.
Church leader Jimmy Zathang said the two were preparing a meal while other family members attended a church service in Croydon.
“They lit the fire… The father went into the house to get the meat…he went to the toilet and saw a flash of light through the glass,” he said. The Herald Sun.
He described Roland as ‘a happy child, very active, very sweet’.
Neighbors heard the bang and ran into the street to see a plume of smoke rising from the backyard.
Smoke billowed from Ringwood’s Melbourne home after Saturday night’s explosion (pictured)
“A lot of people tried to help. People walking their dogs and other neighbors ran in with snakes,” said one resident.
Another neighbor across the street said she saw the boy’s wife and siblings go home later and heard them cry.
Victoria Police say the circumstances surrounding the fatal fire have yet to be determined and investigations are ongoing.
People who witnessed the incident or have information are asked to contact police.