Stephen Wilson identified as man killed in Aberglasslyn house fire
Father of three Stephen Wilson has been remembered as having a ‘heart of gold’ after he was tragically killed in a house fire near Maitland, in the Hunter Valley.
Newcastle
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Father of three, Stephen Wilson, was like a “big teddy bear”, whose happiness came from providing for his family, according to friends.
The 46-year-old tragically died in a house fire near Maitland, in the NSW Hunter Valley on Tuesday night, as his wife and 13-year-old son, Patrick, horribly watched on.
NSW Fire and Rescue were called to the blaze on Peppertree Circuit, at Aberglasslyn about 8.30pm and arrived to the home completely engulfed in flames, with intense heat and smoke billowing out.
A prominent member of the community, Mr Wilson is a part-owner of Harvey Norman Maitland at Rutherford.
“He would go out of his way for anyone,” a family friend said.
“He was big and tall but had a heart of gold.
“We are all absolutely shocked and devastated.”
Neighbours said they heard wife Michelle Wilson and their teenage son screaming on the footpath outside the home as the blaze ripped through.
“I heard the kid screaming, ‘get him out’,” one neighbour said.
“It was a high pitch scream. It was awful.”
Firefighters were able to pull the body of Mr Wilson from the burning home but despite attempts, paramedics couldn’t revive him.
“They cut a hole in the door to get the fella out and on the footpath they were pumping him for 15 to 20 minutes but couldn’t bring him back,” next door neighbour Bill Newton said.
Ms Wilson and her son sustained minor injuries and were transported to John Hunter Hospital as a precaution.
Originally from Adelaide, the Wilson family moved to the Hunter Valley about two years ago with two of their kids, while one remains living in Adelaide.
It’s believed the family is now staying with a colleague with the home suffering extensive damage.
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On Wednesday morning, Stephen’s distraught daughter Georgia arrived at the home and stood watching in disbelief as fire investigators and police combed the house for evidence, as they tried to determine the cause of the blaze.
It’s believed police are turning their attention to the garage, where it’s thought to the blaze started. There’s also investigation as to whether it may have been deliberately started.