Dad and son cooking family dinner before fatal shed fire

The Burmese community is reeling after a “lovely” boy, 3, was killed in an explosive shed fire that broke out in Ringwood.

The father of a three-year-old boy who died in a Ringwood explosion had been preparing a meal in the backyard with his son before the tragedy unfolded.

Roland Sakhawang was killed after a fire that had been lit to cook roast beef exploded at the back of the family home in Belle Vue Ave.

Firefighters quickly put out the blaze and found the child’s body in a shed after being called out at about 6pm on Saturday evening.

The family is part of the Burmese community, and a steady stream of relatives, friends and local church members visited the house on Sunday to offer help and condolences.

Three-year-old boy Roland Sakhawang who died in a Ringwood fire on the weekend has been remembered as an “active, lovely child”. Picture: Supplied

Church leader Jimmy Zathang said the community was shocked by Roland’s death.

“He was a happy child, very active, a very lovely child,” he said.

Mr Zathang said the family had told him that Roland and his father were in the backyard preparing a meal while the rest of the family was at a church service in Croydon.

“They lit the fire for roasting the beef, and the young boy was by the fire,” he said.

“The father went into the house to pick up the beef, and at the same time he went to the toilet and saw a light flash through the glass.”

The Ringwood home where a three-year-old boy died in fire that ripped through a shed. Picture: Andrew Henshaw

Family friend and local church leader Jimmy Zathang.

The fire sent thick black smoke billowing into the sky.

Police at the scene of a fire that killed a young boy in Ringwood on Saturday. Picture Peak Hour Images

Mr Zathang said that Roland’s father ran outside and saw that the shed was on fire.

“He could not find the child, he tried to extinguish the fire but could not do that,” he said.

“He thought the boy might have run in front of the house, he was searching around there.”

Neighbours Lynne and Wayne, who live across the road, heard a loud bang and saw smoke billowing from the property.

“It was enough to make everyone stop and look, and people came out houses, like ‘what was that,’” Lynne said.

“Heaps of people tried to help. People walking their dogs and other neighbours ran with hoses, it was horrible.”

Lynne said that her stepson, who had run over to help, was left badly shaken by the tragedy.

“We saw the mum and kids come back (home). The crying coming from the house was horrible.”

“The kids were lovely, I always used to see the little boy in the lounge room window.”

It’s believed that Roland had three siblings.

Police are investigating the incident, but said in a statement that the circumstances of the fire were yet to be determined.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or go to crimestoppersvic.com.au