Young man killed in home invasion blaze identified as Hayden Forrest

A young man who died in a house fire during a suspected home invasion in Sydney’s southwest has been identified as 21-year old Hayden Forrest.

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Friends of a young man who died in a house fire during a suspected home invasion in Sydney’s southwest insist he would do “anything and everything” for those close to him.

The body of Hayden Forrest, 21, was uncovered in the Elderslie house when emergency crews rushed to the property after the blaze broke out and neighbours heard shouting on Saturday night.

Hayden Forrest died in a fire during a suspected home invasion in Elderslie on Saturday.

Police have been told three men had stormed the Crank Place house, where a local family lives, before the fire started in a front room.

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Seven occupants and two of the three suspected intruders managed to escape but Forrest — who police believe was not an occupant — died at the scene.

Friends today expressed their shock over his sudden death.

An investigation is underway after a body was found following a house fire in Sydney’s south west Picture: Dean Asher

“Hayden was a good bloke — he was one of my best friends — he did anything and everything for his friends and family,” one friend, who did not want to be named, told The Daily Telegraph.

“He was always the first person to help me with any issues I had, even if I just wanted someone to talk to he was always kind hearted towards me and anyone he loved.”

Another said: “(It’s) still a bit fresh and upsetting.”

Homicide detectives have now joined the investigation into Forrest’s death and are looking into why the intruders broke into the home.

Police believe the two other intruders fled in a getaway car.

Fire & Rescue NSW officers worked to extinguish the blaze. Picture: Dean Asher

One neighbour previously said she and her family saw the intruders carry jerry cans into the house.

“There was a guy with a jerry can, there was probably two of them, but we thought there was only one,” she said.

“He had a hood … and his hand over his mouth when he was coming back to the car and drove off, but the other one got burnt in the house.”