Boy, eight, is killed in tragic house fire after being trapped inside while his devastated mother was forced to wait in the front garden for help

  • Boy was trapped inside home in Sandbach, Cheshire, and died in hospital
  • Mother seen stood outside on front lawn as emergency services arrived 
  • Neighbours described shock after the fire, in early hours of the morning 

By Richard Marsden for MailOnline

Published: 13:52 EDT, 30 October 2016 | Updated: 21:33 EDT, 30 October 2016

A 'nice, bright young boy with the future ahead of him' died tragically in a house fire which also left his mother badly burned.

The eight-year-old boy, named locally as Lucas Carter and who was described as 'footy-mad' - died in hospital following a rescue attempt from his home as paramedics tried to desperately save the youngster.

His mother, who has been named locally as Kelly-Anne Carter, 35, who worked for upmarket supermarket chain Waitrose, was found by fire crews on the front lawn with serious burns.

Kelly-Anne Carter, 35, was found outside with serious burns and was taken to hospital with son Lucas Carter (pictured together), who died despite paramedics' desperate attempts to save him

Lucas was described as a 'bright young boy with the whole world ahead of him' by a neighbour stood outside the scorched property in Sandbach, Cheshire today

The boy was rescued from the house in Sandbach (pictured), Cheshire, but sadly died from his injuries in hospital 

Last night, she was said to be in a stable condition in hospital.

Piles of flowers and a teddy bear were left at the scene of the fire in Sandbach, Cheshire, which broke out in the early hours of Sunday morning.

A close family friend said last night: 'Kelly-Anne will be absolutely devastated by the death of her son.

'He was her only child and she was totally devoted to him.

'Lucas was a beautiful baby when he was born and he had grown up to be a handsome and kind boy.

Neighbours talked of their shock and sorrow over how the mother must feel after the death

'He had a lovely nature.'

The friend added: 'Kelly-Anne works on the checkouts at Waitrose in Sandbach and all her work colleagues are devastated.

'Kelly-Anne had only just come out of hospital after a gallstones operation.

'She has had a tragic life - her mother committed suicide and her father has also passed away.' Kellie-Anne is separated from her partner but he sees his son regularly, the friend said.

She had been living in the rented house for about six months and close friends and family live nearby, it is understood.

Lucas, a pupil at nearby Offley Primary School, was described as a 'bright young boy with the whole world ahead of him' by a neighbour outside the scorched property.

A neighbour, who lived further down the street, said at the scene: 'We just can't believe what's happened.

'We just all can't believe it, I work at the school and he was such a nice, bright young boy with the whole world ahead of him.

Lucas (pictured) is believed to have gone to the local Offley Primary School near his home

Thick, black smoke billowed from the house as emergency services tried to battle the blaze and rescued the boy, but he later died in hospital

'He loved his sports, he was footy mad.' 

She added: 'I know his mum and I know the family must in just utter devastation right now.

'All the neighbours are shocked too - it'll be awful not seeing Lucas at the school anymore.'

Among those leaving tributes were a middle-aged woman who brought had brought a golden teddy bear. She cried clutching the bear to her face before leaving it with the flowers.

Tributes were paid by Offley Primary School.

Neighbours in the quiet residential street (pictured) in Sandbach, Cheshire, have talked of their shock, after hearing the news about the young family

In a statement, Lucas's teachers said they were 'devastated'.

'Pupils and staff will be offered support over the coming days at this deeply sad time.

'Our thoughts go out to the family and friends,' the statement said.

The cause of the fire is still yet unknown and investigators remained at the property last night.

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman added: 'Our thoughts at the current time are with the family of the boy.' 

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