A toddler has died in a Melbourne house fire, while the boy’s was rushed to hospital with severe burns after trying to save him.
Jordan Dashwood, 3, was at home with his parents and a sibling when a fire engulfed their house in Newbury Street at about midnight on Monday.
Jordan’s father, Jeremy Dashwood, smashed a window to get back into the house but came out again with his clothes on fire.
Victoria police said the 40-year-old man was taken to the hospital with serious burns, while the child and two of their dogs died in the blaze.
Jordan’s 11-year-old brother escaped through a window, according to local reports.
Assistant chief fire officer Anthony Pearce said investigators had not yet been able to determine the cause of the fire.
“It’s too early to tell, there’s a lot of investigation both in the scene and engaging with people to try to understand what’s happened,” he said.
“The fire scene is quite dangerous, there’s a lot of loose and broken tiles on the roof and it’s not a building that’s safe to walk through at this stage.”
Tributes have poured in for Jordan on social media and neighbours have been leaving flowers in front of the house.
His grandmother, Tracie Long, said: “I just miss that little man already, he’s so precious, you know. He was so delightful, he was a bubble of energy.
“He was a nanny’s boy. I’m gonna miss that little boy,” she told ABC News.
Ms Long said her daughter was home with her partner and children when the fire broke out.
“She heard a bang and that was it, they had to get out. They tried to get the baby but they couldn’t get him,” she said.
A GoFundMe has been set up by family friend Jardine Jackson, who has asked supporters for assistance to cover the funeral expenses and rebuild their lives.
“Little Jordan was a bright light in this world, full of innocent joy, and his absence leaves a void that can never be filled,” Ms Jackson wrote.
“In a single night, this family’s entire world was reduced to ashes,” she added. “They did not just lose their home; they lost their precious little boy, their loyal pets, their memories.”
The Victoria fire department said 40 firefighters battled the blaze for more than an hour before bringing it under control after 1am. Firefighters were still at the scene on Monday “to ensure the safety of the area”.
