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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
|---|---|
| Father and son die in Cyprus fire | Father and son die in Cyprus fire |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| A father and his two children are believed to have died in a house fire at the Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri near Limassol in Cyprus on Saturday. | A father and his two children are believed to have died in a house fire at the Royal Air Force base of Akrotiri near Limassol in Cyprus on Saturday. |
| The Ministry of Defence has confirmed RAF Corporal Andy Greenough, 37, from Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent, died in the blaze with his five-year-old son Evan. | The Ministry of Defence has confirmed RAF Corporal Andy Greenough, 37, from Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent, died in the blaze with his five-year-old son Evan. |
| They are still trying to identify a third body found in the house - believed to be his daughter Nia. | They are still trying to identify a third body found in the house - believed to be his daughter Nia. |
| The children's mother Eirlys was not in the house when the fire broke out. | The children's mother Eirlys was not in the house when the fire broke out. |
| Mrs Greenough was on a social night out with other RAF wives and was traced by military police who broke the news. She returned home to see their quarters devastated in the blaze. | Mrs Greenough was on a social night out with other RAF wives and was traced by military police who broke the news. She returned home to see their quarters devastated in the blaze. |
| She was being comforted by family members who flew over to the RAF base in Cyprus, on Sunday. | She was being comforted by family members who flew over to the RAF base in Cyprus, on Sunday. |
| He was a family man and they meant everything to him Corporal Greenough's sister Leanne | He was a family man and they meant everything to him Corporal Greenough's sister Leanne |
| Cpl Greenough is believed to have watched Wales beat England on the television on Saturday night before the fire broke out. | Cpl Greenough is believed to have watched Wales beat England on the television on Saturday night before the fire broke out. |
| His sister Leanne said: "He was very patriotic, a proud Welshman and loved his rugby. | His sister Leanne said: "He was very patriotic, a proud Welshman and loved his rugby. |
| "He was lovely guy - genuine and friendly who doted on his two children. He was a family man and they meant everything to him." | "He was lovely guy - genuine and friendly who doted on his two children. He was a family man and they meant everything to him." |
| Third person | Third person |
| A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said: "It is with deep regret that the MOD can confirm that a house fire at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on 17 March 2007 has tragically resulted in the death of RAF Corporal Andy Greenough, 37 and his son, Evan, aged 5. | A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence (MOD) said: "It is with deep regret that the MOD can confirm that a house fire at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus on 17 March 2007 has tragically resulted in the death of RAF Corporal Andy Greenough, 37 and his son, Evan, aged 5. |
| "A third person was also killed in the fire. However, formal identification has not yet taken place. The cause of the incident is currently being investigated." | "A third person was also killed in the fire. However, formal identification has not yet taken place. The cause of the incident is currently being investigated." |
| The spokesman added that everybody in the small RAF community was deeply saddened by the blaze which destroyed the house. | The spokesman added that everybody in the small RAF community was deeply saddened by the blaze which destroyed the house. |
| He said it was too early to say what caused the blaze, but an investigation was under way. | He said it was too early to say what caused the blaze, but an investigation was under way. |
| The spokesman also paid tribute to Mr Greenough adding that he had been strongly recommended for promotion in 2007. | The spokesman also paid tribute to Mr Greenough adding that he had been strongly recommended for promotion in 2007. |
| His dedication and loyalty to his work were only surpassed by his love for his family and children. MoD spokesman | His dedication and loyalty to his work were only surpassed by his love for his family and children. MoD spokesman |
| He added: "He was a committed member of the RAF for 17 years and was a popular and enthusiastic member of the community. | He added: "He was a committed member of the RAF for 17 years and was a popular and enthusiastic member of the community. |
| "His dedication and loyalty to his work were only surpassed by his love for his family and children. | "His dedication and loyalty to his work were only surpassed by his love for his family and children. |
| "He was expected to be promoted to Sergeant in the near future. He has served in the Falkland Islands and during his time in Cyprus, he played an active role in supporting visiting Tornado squadrons. | "He was expected to be promoted to Sergeant in the near future. He has served in the Falkland Islands and during his time in Cyprus, he played an active role in supporting visiting Tornado squadrons. |
| "His son Evan was a beautiful, bubbly little boy, whose cheeky smile will be sadly missed by his classmates and teachers at Akrotiri Primary School. | "His son Evan was a beautiful, bubbly little boy, whose cheeky smile will be sadly missed by his classmates and teachers at Akrotiri Primary School. |
| "The whole of the British Forces Cyprus community has been deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies, are with the family and friends of Corporal Greenough at this most difficult time." | "The whole of the British Forces Cyprus community has been deeply saddened by this tragic event and our thoughts, prayers and deepest sympathies, are with the family and friends of Corporal Greenough at this most difficult time." |
| Great family man | |
| Spokesman for the British armed forces in Cyprus, Capt Crispin Coates, said there was a "real air of gloom" at the Cyprus base following the tragedy. | |
| He said Cpl Greenough was very popular and well known there. | |
| "Everyone I have spoken to who knew him was taken by his genuine enthusiasm for his work, and he was also known as a great family man," he said, | |
| He said the "rapid, hot fire" which took hold at the family's quarters had hampered attempts to rescue the family. | |
| An inquest will now be held because the base is built on British "sovereign ground" on the island and a coroner was being flown out from the UK, said Capt Coates. | |
| Investigators would be looking at all aspects of the blaze, he added, and although the forces' properties were built some 40 or 45 years ago, they met safety regulations. | |
| The Greenoughs had been married for nine years and it was their second tour in Cyprus. | The Greenoughs had been married for nine years and it was their second tour in Cyprus. |
| The family had not been home to Six Bells, near Abertillery, South Wales, since last summer but were planning a trip next month. | The family had not been home to Six Bells, near Abertillery, South Wales, since last summer but were planning a trip next month. |