Inquiry after boy dies in fire

A neighbour was beaten back by the heat

Social services have launched an inquiry after a four-year-old boy died in a house fire.

It has emerged that they had been working with the boy's family for several years.

James Moxam was killed, and his three-year-old brother Jake seriously hurt on Tuesday in a fire on the ground floor of their home in Holly Close, Sarisbury Green, near Fareham.

Hampshire Social Services said they are launching an internal inquiry into their handling of the case.

As is our usual practice in serious incidents such as the death of a child, we have now commenced an internal investigation to review our involvement with the family Steve Love Social Services, Director, Children and Families

On Wednesday Hampshire Police said they had ruled out arson as a possible cause of the fire, but it would be some time before they would know for sure how it started.

Steve Love, the council's children and families director said: "I would like to extend my condolences to the family on the tragic death of James and my thoughts and best wishes are with Jake for a speedy recovery.

"I can confirm that Hampshire Social Services has been working with this family over a number of years.

"As is our usual practice in serious incidents such as the death of a child, we have now commenced an internal investigation to review our involvement with the family.

"In addition the multi-agency Area Child Protection Committee will also be informed of this case to decide whether to also undertake a review of the circumstances around this tragic incident."

The fire broke out shortly before 0900 BST on Tuesday, trapping James and Jake in a bedroom.

Two attempts by a neighbour to rescue the pair failed a he was beaten back by the heat and smoke.

James was rushed to the Queen Alexandra Hospital in Cosham, but was pronounced dead on arrival.

Jake remains in a serious condition in the burns unit of Salisbury Hospital.