A SCHOOLBOY died in an horrific fire that left his best friend fighting for his life.

Neighbours battled desperately to reach Richard Hawrot and his best friend Toby Mills, both 13, as fire raged at the rear of a house in Newport on Friday night.

Rescuers managed to drag Toby to safety - but they were beaten back by the flames and unable to reach Richard.

Investigations into the cause of the blaze are today continuing as grieving family members and friends of the two boys place floral tributes at the front of the house, where the Mills family had moved to just a week ago.

Anthony and Jeanette, Richard's mother and father, left flowers at the scene with the tribute: "Our Golden Boy. We love you, we miss you. Always ours."

It is believed the boys - both pupils at St Julian's School - were putting petrol in a motor scooter in the small courtyard at the rear of the house in Baneswell, when a spark ignited petrol fumes.

Toby managed to get back inside the house, on the corner of St Woolos Road and Jones Street. He was seen by neighbours, who smashed a small front window to pull him out.

But rescuers could not reach Richard, of Chichester Close, Newport. Toby was taken to Morriston Hospital, Swansea, suffering from severe burns.

He was admitted to intensive care, with his family at his side. His condition was described yesterday as critical but stable.

Neighbour Brian Lyons helped drag Toby from the flames.

He told the Argus: "The look of sheer terror on his face is haunting me even now."

* In the picture: Flowers at the house where fire claimed the life of Richard Hawrot and seriously injured Toby Mills, both 13.

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