‘Superhero’ dad ignored relatives’ pleas as he rushed in to save son, 4, from burning home before both died
TRIBUTES have poured in for a “superhero” dad who ran into a burning house to save his son before both perished.
Barry Mason, 45, ignored relatives’ pleas not to go back in as an inferno engulfed a home in the early hours of Sunday.
But the dad-of-three told them: “No, no! Ethan’s still in there.”
He managed to save the four-year-old but died shortly afterwards.
Ethan suffered 70 percent burns and was placed in a coma but sadly died on Tuesday.
Barry’s wife Rachel, 45, and their three kids David, 18, Bethany, 16, and Isaac, 14, all made it out of the burning semi in Wigan, Lancs, and were taken to hospital.
They have all since been discharged.
Paying tribute, Ethan’s aunty Jessica Wilson said “gentle giant” Barry was a “devoted daddy until your last breath”.
She added: “Our very own superhero. Barry we are heartbroken.
“Words will never describe just how grateful we are to you, hold our baby tight up there.”
The fire on Warrington Road broke out at around 2.30am on Sunday.
Friends told MailOnline how eldest son David tried to grab his dad’s arm stop him going back into the house.
He shouted: “Dad, you can’t. The whole place is on fire!”
In a heartbreaking tribute on Facebook, Barry’s cousin Sarah-Jane Shoobridge said he and Ethan “both have your wings far too early”.
“We miss you and love you both”, she added.
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue are continuing to investigate what started the blaze.
Police do not believe the causes of the fire were suspicious.
A fundraiser set up by Ms Wilson to help pay for both Barry and Ethan’s funerals has raised £43,000.
You can donate by clicking here.