A TEENAGER has died after a horror house fire which left his friend in a coma.
Tommy Ballay-Dean, 16, was “the heart and soul” of his community and a talented young football player.
Tommy, who was known as Junior Dean, tragically died in the blaze in Southwark, London, on Wednesday.
The London Fire Brigade confirmed four fire engines and 25 firefighters responded to the fatal fire on the first floor of a block of flats around 3pm.
Another teenage boy fled the flames and was rushed to hospital, where it it understood he sadly remains in a coma.
Police said the friend was being treated for severe facial wounds.
A fundraiser for Junior has been set up in his memory and to help support his heartbroken family with funeral costs.
Poignant tributes flooded in for a young life taken too soon, who contributed to his local community and was beloved by teammates.
The organisers of the fundraiser wrote: “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.”
They also extended their condolences to his family, friends and teammates at Mass Elite and his former clubs.
One of his former football coaches posted a heartbroken social media tribute to Junior.
Hudayfi Awale recalled the young player: “A top footballer, but an even better kid. You lit up every room you walked into, always smiling, always making people laugh.
“So respectful. So full of life. A real bundle of joy. This one hurts differently.
“Rest in eternal peace, Junior. May God grant you the highest rank in paradise.
“We’ll make sure your name, your energy, and your legacy live on forever.”
Neighbours previously told The Sun how they heard a boy screaming “my friend is still in there” as the horror blaze tore through the flat.
Loreen Williams, 86, told The Sun: “There was a young guy who was on the pavement who was shouting ‘there is somebody still in the building’.
Mum-of-two Elizabeth Coleman, who lives nearby, added: “My son came outside to see what was going on.
“He saw a boy lying on the floor who was shouting ‘my friend is still inside’.”
The fire service said: “The cause of the fire is being investigated by the Brigade’s Fire Investigation Unit and the Metropolitan Police Service.”
On Thursday, a Met Police spokesperson told The Sun:“At around 15:00hrs on Wednesday, 18 March, 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. 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.”
