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Heroic boy, 13, dies trying to rescue his paralysed father from a house fire

A 13-year-old boy has tragically died after attempting to rescue his paralysed father from their burning home.

Police believe the fire broke out at about 1am last Wednesday at the mobile property in the US state of Oklahoma. According to authorities, the fire started in the living room where both the boy and his 16-year-old sister were sleeping.

Their 60-year-old father, James Cummins, was in another room. It was his daughter who woke up and saw the room was on fire, the Sun Herald reports.

Thomas JayVance Cummins (Left) and James Cummins (right) died in the fire. Source: Watts Funeral Home
Thomas JayVance Cummins (Left) and James Cummins (right) died in the fire. Source: Watts Funeral Home

She ran across the street to a neighbour's house, asking for help, while the boy, Thomas JayVance Cummins, tried to get their father into a wheelchair. However, neither of them made it out alive when they were overcome with smoke.

"Upon arrival the deputies found the house engulfed in flames," Love County Sheriff Marty Grisham said.

"(They) attempted to enter the house, couldn't make it through the front due to the fire and couldn't make it to the back also due to fire and debris."

According to US broadcaster KXII, the boy's mother was at the store when the fire broke out.

"This family is just sleeping and the son is doing what he can to protect and save his dad," Sheriff Grisham said. "It's a very sad story."

The house was completely gutted. Source: KXII
The house was completely gutted. Source: KXII

While an official cause is still being determined, police believed multiple space heaters in the home contributed to the blaze.

A GoFundMe account has been set up seeking $10,000 to help the family with funeral expenses and living arrangements.

Police said the mother and daughter are currently staying with relatives.

The daughter's identity has not been revealed.