A teenager has died while his friend has been placed in an induced coma after an electric bike allegedly exploded at a flat in south London.
Promising young footballer, Tommy Ballay-Dean, 16, died at his friend Shauny Halsey‘s home on Cooper’s Road, Southwark, on Wednesday after a fire broke out.
Tommy, known to loved ones as Junior, was tragically pronounced dead at the scene, while Shauny was rushed to King’s College Hospital with life-threatening burns.
He was placed in an induced coma before being taken to a hospital in Essex, where doctors will undergo various surgeries, including several skin grafts.
Paying tribute to Junior today, his football coach and family friend Dean Stanhope told the Daily Mail: ‘It is a very hard time for everyone, but we are trying to stay positive because we understand how much of a godly person Junior was and believe God has taken him early for a reason.
‘Junior was always smiling and he would light up a room. He was a church-going person and would always find time to pray.
‘He was loved by everyone and he would walk into a room and light it up. He was outgoing, he was not shy and was a very talented footballer.’
The teenager was a pupil at St Thomas the Apostle School in Peckham and had played for several football teams, including Mass Elite, Blaise Ballers, Rotherhithe FC, and Whitestar Academy
Tommy Ballay-Dean (pictured) – known as Junior to his loved ones – died at his friend Shauny Halsey ‘s home on Cooper’s Road, Southwark, on Wednesday after a fire broke out.
The teenager was a pupil at St Thomas the Apostle School in Peckham and had played for several football teams, including Mass Elite, Blaise Ballers, Rotherhithe FC, and Whitestar Academy.
His coach added: ‘He loved football like it was his whole life. His focus was to make it as a footballer and he knew he needed to keep locked in to make it. And after two years of working on it he finally his coaches saw that he was finally ready and that was the moment he was taken from us.
‘It has not been easy but we are trying to keep the spirits up. Over a hundred people have been to his mum’s house in the last few days and lots of people have been going to the church to light candles and hold prayers.
‘His parents are obviously broken up and we are just trying to keep their spirits high. He spoke with God on a regular basis. There has been a lot of solidarity and holding together from the community.’
Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters from the London Fire Brigade responded to the fire on the first floor after receiving the first call at 2.57pm. The fire was brought under control by 4.34pm.
Shauny’s family home and all their belongings were completely destroyed in the fire, and his parents, Jessica and Shaun, as well as his nine-year-old sister, are currently living out of a hotel next to the hospital.
A family member said that Shauny remains in hospital, in an induced coma and will undergo his first skin graft operations later today.
Junior pictured with two of his friends and teammates at the South London district football club
After the fire broke out on Wednesday afternoon Shauny was rushed to King’s College Hospital with life-threatening burns. He is now in an induced coma at a hospital in Essex
The relative said: ‘The whole situation is just so sad. They were both such lovely young boys, they are such good boys, they don’t hang around on the street, they are so polite, it is very, very sad.
‘They had been friends for a very long time and there was a group of them. It was so heartbreaking to see the young boys here just breaking down and crying on the floor..
‘They are a group of good boys. They were always in the house playing video games or playing football.’
Shauny and Junior had just come back into the house from the shops, while Shauny’s mother left to pick up his sister from school, when the blaze broke out.
Shauny’s family member added that her relatives have not yet returned to the shell of the flat as they do not want to see the extent of the damage.
She said: ‘They are in limbo and in shock, especially because the other boy passed away. Their flat is also destroyed; it has disintegrated and everything is melted. The walls are gone, even the metal bed has melted.
‘They haven’t been back there but they have been left with nothing. I don’t think they have even fathomed that they have nothing. They are in survival mode, they haven’t even changed their clothes, so I don’t think his mother has contemplated it yet.
‘Everything has burnt. There are a few clothes laying around but we have advised that they are too toxic to wear. There are coats melted on the door. They have nothing at all.’
Investigators from the Met Police and London Fire Brigade investigation units are currently looking into what caused the fire amid claims that a faulty E-bike and e-bike charger caused the explosion. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.
There is also a suggestion that the bike might have not been ‘fit’ to be ridden on the rodes and that the charger was of too high a voltage.
A fundraiser set up for Junior’s funeral and family created by his coach has already raised £26,000.
The donation page reads: ‘Southwark Residents are calling on the entire Southwark community, the wider public, and grassroots clubs across London to come together and help raise funds to support Junior’s family with funeral costs.
‘Junior was the heart and soul of Southwark Residents and a cherished member of the wider Southwark community.
‘His faith was one of the things that truly stood out, alongside his talent. He often led prayers before matches and constantly encouraged those around him, sometimes putting others before himself.’
A separate fundraiser has now also been created for Shauny’s family, to help them rebuild their home.
The fundraiser said: ‘This same fire has also left a family facing unimaginable devastation
‘Their flat was completely destroyed, and they have lost absolutely everything — their home, their belongings, their clothes — everything they had.
‘Their 16-year-old son, Shauny, who many of you may know, is currently in hospital with critical burns and is in an induced coma. He will need multiple surgeries, including skin grafts, and faces a long and incredibly difficult road to recovery.
‘They have a nine-year-old daughter who has been left without a home, without her belongings, and without the sense of safety every child deserves. The family is currently moving between hospitals and hotels just to stay close to Shauny during this critical time.’
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: ‘At around 3pm on March 18, police responded to reports of a fire at a residential address in Coopers Road, Southwark.
‘Officers attended with the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service.
Four fire engines and 25 firefighters responded to the blaze in Southwark, South London
Pictures of the scene after the fire broke out just after lunch time in Southwark
‘A 16-year-old boy was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. His next-of-kin are being supported by specially trained officers.
‘Another boy – also aged 16 – was treated for serious facial injuries. He was taken to hospital, where we await an update on his condition.
‘The circumstances of the fire remain under investigation, although at this stage the incident is believed to be non-suspicious.’
