Brother and sister die in fire

Stephani Wojak, 15, and her foster brother Ben Mcauliffe, aged eight, died after suffering suspected cardiac arrests as a result of smoke inhalation, police said.

Police have ruled out arson and say the fire, in Ellacombe Church Road, Torquay, was a tragic accident but are still investigating the cause.

Ben, who was fostered by Mr and Mrs Wojak seven-and-a-half years ago, had autism and severe learning difficulties. His natural parents, who live in Torquay, have been told of his death.

Stephani was Mr and Mrs Wojak's biological daughter along with biological son Ricky, 20, who escaped the burning house.

One neighbour climbed onto the roof of the house to pull Mrs Wojak out of a window while another man used a ladder to get inside and drag Mr Wojak out. The two men, who have been hailed as heroes, will be nominated for police and fire bravery awards.

Dean Harrison, who was walking along the street as the fire broke out, said: "I could hear the kids screaming upstairs. There were people trying to kick the door down and then the windows started bursting out with the heat. When the fire brigade arrived we couldn't hear the kids screaming anymore. They got the girl out and then it felt like 10 minutes when I saw a fireman come out with this tiny body in his arms. They tried to revive him but there was no hope."

Stephen Phillips came to lay flowers outside the house on behalf of his daughter Amber who was friends with Stephani. "Amber is devastated, Stephani was a bubbly girl, lively and always smiling, she was never down," he said. "We are all gobsmacked and broken hearted."

Mike Stewart, headteacher at Westlands School where Stephani was in year 11, said they would be offering pupils support. "Stephani was a good student, she was lively with a ready smile and got involved in the community and supported the school," he said. "I have spoken to the headteacher of Coombe Pafford Special School, where Ben attended, and she said he was a well liked lad who was doing well."

Ursha Garratt, who lives next door to the Wojak family, said tearfully she was still shocked. "Ben was a happy little soul, he was always in the garden and always waving from his bedroom window," she said.