A five-year-old girl tragically died in a house fire that engulfed her sister’s bedroom in Dolgoed, Pontyglasier, Crymych, Pembrokeshire. Alysia Salisbury passed away when the fire broke out on Saturday, May 27, 2023. An inquest at Haverfordwest County Hall detailed how the fire started at 8.40pm in the first-floor rear bedroom, where Alysia was having a sleepover in her sister’s bed. The family, including Alysia’s mother Tara Salisbury and her partner Joshua Hale, were also in the house at the time. Smoke alarms alerted them to the fire, initially thought to be caused by the oven. However, Alysia’s eldest sister discovered smoke under the door of the room where Alysia was located.
Mr. Hale instructed the children to evacuate with the dogs, unaware that Alysia was still inside. Despite efforts to save her, Alysia was found in the burning bedroom and pronounced dead at the scene. The inquest revealed Alysia’s fascination with fire due to her autism, posing a safety concern for the family. It was suspected that a naked flame, possibly from a lighter or scented candles, ignited the fire. Alysia’s mother expressed profound grief, stating, “We miss her terribly. She was very, very loved and will be very, very missed for a long time.”
The coroner determined Alysia’s death as accidental, emphasizing the unimaginable horror and helplessness her family experienced during the tragic event. Alysia’s funeral was held at Narberth Crematorium, where she was remembered as the devoted daughter of Tara and Josh. The heartbreaking incident left the family devastated, with Ms. Salisbury recalling her desperate attempts to rescue her daughter amidst the flames. The hearing captured the deep anguish and irreversible loss the family suffered due to the fire that claimed young Alysia’s life.