David Cuthbertson, 68, perished when flames took hold of the family home in Powys, Wales
The farmhouse inferno that killed a father and five of his children could have been caused by Halloween lights, it was claimed last night.
David Cuthbertson, 68, and the youngsters aged between four and 11 died at their home in Llangammarch Wells, Mid Wales, on Monday.
Neighbours claimed yesterday that the family had a tradition of carving pumpkins and lighting lots of candles around the house before Halloween.
And it is feared that a candle was left alight when the family went to bed on Sunday evening, causing the blaze.
One local resident told the Daily Mirror: ‘People are saying it was the cause of the fire. There were apparently a lot of candles in the house.’
Meanwhile it was also revealed yesterday that the son-in-law of Mr Cuthbertson was among the firefighters sent to tackle a blaze that destroyed their farmhouse.
![Firefighter David Price (right), 25, is married to David Cuthbertson's daughter Pia (left), 24](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/12/45E5D47300000578-5038653-Firefighter_David_Price_right_25_is_married_to_David_Cuthbertson-m-25_1509538357509.jpg)
Firefighter David Price (right), 25, is married to David Cuthbertson’s daughter Pia (left), 24
![Mr Price (left, with Pia Cuthbertson) was called when flames took hold of the family farmhouse](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/10/45E5DA5A00000578-0-image-a-3_1509532257708.jpg)
Mr Price (left, with Pia Cuthbertson) was called when flames took hold of the family farmhouse
![An aerial view shows the devastation following the blaze in Llangammarch Wells, Powys](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/10/45DC903000000578-5034729-image-a-41_1509446491077.jpg)
An aerial view shows the devastation following the blaze in Llangammarch Wells, Powys
![The rear of the farmhouse in Llangammarch Wells, Powys, which is still smouldering today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/09/45DC1B6400000578-5034729-image-a-14_1509442869039.jpg)
The rear of the farmhouse in Llangammarch Wells, Powys, which is still smouldering today
![The farmhouse has been completely gutted by the fire which took hold of it early on Monday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/10/45DC8DEF00000578-5034729-image-a-42_1509446497766.jpg)
The farmhouse has been completely gutted by the fire which took hold of it early on Monday
![Firefighters are still at the property today following the blaze in the early hours of Monday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/15/45DF420700000578-5034729-image-a-70_1509463734282.jpg)
Firefighters are still at the property today following the blaze in the early hours of Monday
Three children, aged ten, 12 and 13, managed to escape from the blaze and run to a neighbour’s house to raise the alarm.
Mountain rescue teams and fire crews rushed to the scene in a bid to save the family after the blaze erupted on Sunday night.
Yesterday it was revealed that one of the firefighters was Mr Cuthbertson’s son-in-law, David Price, 25.
Neighbour Mary Ann Gilchrist said: ‘What I find so horrific is that one of those reponding was his own son-in-law, who is a retained fireman. Can you imagine?
![A teddy bear and a note saying 'I will miss my best friend' which were left at the scene today](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/16/45DED13000000578-5034729-A_teddy_bear_and_a_note_saying_I_will_miss_my_best_friend_which_-m-134_1509467762721.jpg)
A teddy bear and a note saying ‘I will miss my best friend’ which were left at the scene today
![A woman arrives at the scene with floral tributes following the devastating farmhouse fire](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/14/45DDA11800000578-5034729-image-a-97_1509460376911.jpg)
A woman arrives at the scene with floral tributes following the devastating farmhouse fire
![Flowers are left at the scene of the fire which is believed to have claimed the lives of six people](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/14/45DDA11400000578-5034729-image-a-98_1509460501656.jpg)
Flowers are left at the scene of the fire which is believed to have claimed the lives of six people
![It is still unclear how many people lost their lives in the tragedy in the early hours of Monday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/09/45DC221C00000578-5034729-image-a-19_1509442880646.jpg)
It is still unclear how many people lost their lives in the tragedy in the early hours of Monday
![The home was reduced to a smouldering shell in just minutes, its roof completely removed](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/09/45DC1F3800000578-5034729-image-a-17_1509442875456.jpg)
The home was reduced to a smouldering shell in just minutes, its roof completely removed
![Police said the blaze on Monday was so severe they are not yet sure how many people died](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/16/45DC1B6B00000578-5038653-Police_said_the_blaze_on_Monday_was_so_severe_they_are_not_yet_s-a-30_1509552282872.jpg)
Police said the blaze on Monday was so severe they are not yet sure how many people died
‘David’s children are all so intelligent and sweet. He should be very proud of them.’
Mr Price is a self-employed carpenter and retained firemen with Mid and West Wales Fire and Rescue, based in the nearby town of Llanwrtyd Wells.
He married Mr Cuthbertson’s daughter Pia, 24, in a ceremony in Greece last year, and was understood to be comforting his wife yesterday.
Theresa May praised the ‘bravery and professionalism’ of the emergency services who responded to the blaze during Prime Minister’s Questions yesterday.
![Three children are believed to have escaped the fire, while another five are said to have died](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/16/45DF409200000578-5038653-Three_children_are_believed_to_have_escaped_the_fire_while_anoth-a-31_1509552282891.jpg)
Three children are believed to have escaped the fire, while another five are said to have died
![Flowers left close to the scene in Llangammarch Wells after six members of the family died](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/16/45DED02B00000578-5038653-Flowers_left_close_to_the_scene_in_Llangammarch_Wells_after_six_-a-32_1509552283000.jpg)
Flowers left close to the scene in Llangammarch Wells after six members of the family died
![Investigators comb through the wreckage of the farmhouse following the huge blaze](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/15/45DF426E00000578-5034729-image-a-71_1509463742157.jpg)
Investigators comb through the wreckage of the farmhouse following the huge blaze
![The farmhouse (centre left) in Powys burnt down overnight while the family were sleeping](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/10/31/14/45DC94F600000578-5034729-The_farmhouse_centre_left_in_Powys_burnt_down_overnight_while_th-a-83_1509459298166.jpg)
The farmhouse (centre left) in Powys burnt down overnight while the family were sleeping
![Investigators are trying to work out what caused the fire and how it took hold of the property](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/16/45DC1B3300000578-5038653-Investigators_are_trying_to_work_out_what_caused_the_fire_and_ho-a-34_1509552283128.jpg)
Investigators are trying to work out what caused the fire and how it took hold of the property
![Forensic teams have been sifting through the remains of the property in Powys, Wales](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/16/45DC1B2B00000578-5038653-Forensic_teams_have_been_sifting_through_the_remains_of_the_prop-a-37_1509552283581.jpg)
![The front of the gutted farmhouse](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/16/45DC22B800000578-5038653-The_front_of_the_gutted_farmhouse-a-35_1509552283181.jpg)
Forensic teams have been sifting through the remains of the property in Powys, Wales
Conservative MP for Brecon and Radnorshire Chris Davies spoke of the ‘horrific farmhouse fire’ and the ‘devastating effect it had had on the family and the tight-knit community’.
Expressing her condolences, Mrs May said: ‘This was indeed a terrible tragedy that took place and as he said it isn’t just the family themselves that have been affected by it but the local community.
‘I know the emergency services did sterling work and I am also pleased to commend the work that they did and their bravery and professionalism in dealing with this issue.’
Neighbours described Mr Cuthbertson as a ‘doting’ father. It was claimed he tried to save his children by dropping them out of a window.
![Specialist police officers at the scene of the fire where a father and five of his children died](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/12/45DD9CB300000578-5038653-Specialist_police_officers_at_the_scene_of_the_fire_where_a_fath-a-42_1509539604921.jpg)
Specialist police officers at the scene of the fire where a father and five of his children died
![Relatives of the family have told of their shock at hearing about the devastating fire](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/12/45DF405500000578-5038653-Relatives_of_the_family_have_told_of_their_shock_at_hearing_abou-a-43_1509539605010.jpg)
Relatives of the family have told of their shock at hearing about the devastating fire
![It is still unclear how many people lost their lives in the tragedy in rural Llangammarch Wells](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/06/45DC8FFB00000578-5034729-It_is_still_unclear_how_many_people_lost_their_lives_in_the_trag-a-3_1509518673750.jpg)
It is still unclear how many people lost their lives in the tragedy in rural Llangammarch Wells
![Police have spoken to the owners of the property in Wales, who rented it to the family](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/12/45DC1F2400000578-5038653-Police_have_spoken_to_the_owners_of_the_property_in_Wales_who_re-a-41_1509539604915.jpg)
Police have spoken to the owners of the property in Wales, who rented it to the family
![Dyfed-Powys Police said five children aged between four and 11 were killed in the fire](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/06/45DD9F5B00000578-5034729-Dyfed_Powys_Police_said_five_children_aged_between_four_and_11_w-a-13_1509518673984.jpg)
Dyfed-Powys Police said five children aged between four and 11 were killed in the fire
![The fire was described as 'devastating news in such a close-knit community' by a politician](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/16/45DC1F0900000578-5038653-The_fire_was_described_as_devastating_news_in_such_a_close_knit_-a-33_1509552283058.jpg)
The fire was described as ‘devastating news in such a close-knit community’ by a politician
Locals said: ‘We’ve heard he managed to get three out by dropping them from a window. He loved those kids so much he would have been desperate to get them out.
‘But it sounds as if he died in the heat and smoke before he could save the little ones.’
Mr Cuthbertson, a retired builder, could have had up to 17 children from different marriages, it is understood.
The father lived with his younger children after splitting from their mother, Seema, who suffered a stroke several years after they seperated.
![A woman looks at tributes to the members of the same family who died in Llangammarch Wells](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/06/45DDA11C00000578-5034729-A_woman_looks_at_tributes_to_the_members_of_the_same_family_who_-a-8_1509518673908.jpg)
A woman looks at tributes to the members of the same family who died in Llangammarch Wells
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/12/45D6FAD600000578-5038653-image-a-40_1509539604914.jpg)
Crews of firefighters enter the torched shell of the family home in Llangammarch Wells
![Seven members of the same family are feared dead after a huge fire ripped through their farmhouse and burnt it to the ground while they were asleep](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/06/45D6993C00000578-5034729-Seven_members_of_the_same_family_are_feared_dead_after_a_huge_fi-a-9_1509518673962.jpg)
Seven members of the same family are feared dead after a huge fire ripped through their farmhouse and burnt it to the ground while they were asleep
![The blaze ripped through the home in Llangammarch Wells, Powys, early on Monday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/16/45D699D400000578-5038653-The_blaze_ripped_through_the_home_in_Llangammarch_Wells_Powys_ea-a-39_1509552284051.jpg)
The blaze ripped through the home in Llangammarch Wells, Powys, early on Monday
![A police car is pictured at the scene of the devastation in the Welsh village on Tuesday](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/06/45DBBCE900000578-5034729-A_police_car_is_pictured_at_the_scene_of_the_devastation_in_the_-a-14_1509518674081.jpg)
A police car is pictured at the scene of the devastation in the Welsh village on Tuesday
![](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2017/11/01/16/45D679A600000578-5038653-image-a-45_1509552284884.jpg)
The surviving children are being supported by relatives and police officers, while a fundraising page to support the family has raised more than £13,000.
Police are treating the cause of the fire as unexplained and were still present at the scene yesterday.
A search dog van was also seen parked near the property to help investigators scour for clues.
Police Superintendent Jon Cummins said: ‘Due to the severity of damage at the scene we are unable at this stage to identify any of the deceased.’