A boy killed in a house fire in the NSW Hunter Valley at the weekend has been identified as “bright and bubbly” 16-year-old Jack Bajric.
Jack died in the blaze at his home at Alkira Ave, Cessnock on Sunday night.
Emergency crews arrived to a “very chaotic scene” about 10pm.
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Firefighters managed to pull Jack from the home and paramedics performed CPR, but he could not be saved.
The 16-year-old’s family said they are devastated.
“It is quite a tragic time for us all,” Jack’s cousin Cindy Davies told 7NEWS.com.au.
Davies, who was close to Jack, launched a GoFundMe to support the grieving family.
“This has had a devastating effect on so many family members, friends along with the local community,” she wrote.
“Jacky boy was a very bright and bubbly loving young man who touched so many hearts.
“Jacky boy was much loved and will be so very deeply missed in this tragic time.”
Neighbours who witnessed the blaze reported flames “just about to the ceiling”.
“It’s shocking, it’s terrible,” one told 7NEWS.
Fire and Rescue NSW commander James Downey said neighbours rushed to help but “there was a lot of flame exiting the house”.
“Crews worked very hard and very quickly to knock down the fire so that the search could continue throughout the house,” he said.
Downey said the tragedy was a timely reminder of the importance of working smoke detectors.
7NEWS understands at this stage the fire is not being treated as suspicious.
The cause of the fire is yet to be revealed, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
