BOY, 5, GASSED AS HE SLEEPS AT HIS GRAN'S; Mother finds family dead in their home.

Byline: By RICHARD SMITH

A BOY of five died with his great-grandparents after being overcome by poisonous carbon monoxide fumes which leaked into their home.

Schoolboy McCauley Thomas was staying overnight with Patrick Chidgey, 71, and wife Gloria, 67, so his mum could pop out to start shopping for Christmas presents.

McCauley's younger brother Ieuan, two, had been due to spend the night at his great-grandparents three- bedroom terrace, but his parents decided to leave him at their home when he fell asleep on the sofa.

Close family friend Lisa Thomas said yesterday: "If that had not happened then Ieuan would probably have died as well.

"McCauley was a lovely little boy and I've never seen such a loving relationship between a child and elderly relatives.

"He and his great-grandad Pat absolutely adored each other and went everywhere together."

The youngster died curled up in the spare bedroom and Gloria was found dead in her bed. Patrick collapsed in the kitchen.

Neighbours heard McCauley's mum Adele, 21, scream for help when she arrived at the house with his builder dad Lee around 8pm on Tuesday.

Yesterday the couple, who live two miles away in a neighbouring village, returned to the scene of the tragedy to lay flowers and a teddy bear at the front door.

A note on their floral tribute said: "Our precious son who brought us joy and happiness. You will always be with us in our hearts and so sorely missed.

"Lots of love hugs and kisses, Mammy and Daddy."

McCauley often stayed overnight with his great-grandparents who he called Nanny and Bampi.

They had told neighbours how pleased they were he was coming to stay with them during the half-term holidays.

Next door neighbour Chris Thomas said: McCauley was very chatty and always laughing.

"He loved playing with our two dogs and would imitate their barking. We can't believe he's gone." Neighbour John Iles added: "They were the loveliest people you would ever want to have as your neighbours."

Their stone-built terrace house was Gloria's childhood home and she had lived there for more than 60 years.

Police standing guard outside yesterday confirmed carbon monoxide - known as the silent killer - had been detected inside by the fire service.

Neighbours said the couple's coal-fired central heating was installed "many years ago".

Friend Ivor Jones added: "They had a boiler in the kitchen and I think the tragedy happened because the flue became blocked. I remember they may have had problems with it in the past."

Health and Safety Executive officials are examining the heating system in the house in the village of Pontllanfraith, near Blackwood, Gwent.

Retired welder Patrick, who trained amateur boxers for 40 years, was the uncle of former two-time world boxing champion Robbie Regan. He had nicknamed McCauley, a pupil at nearby Cefn Fforest primary school, The Champ because the youngster shared his love of boxing.

Friend Dai Gardiner, Regan's former manager, said of Patrick: "He was a lovely, kind person. He was small but very strong. He would do anything for anybody. We missed him at the gym last night. We asked where he was because he always came.

"This is a terrible shock and I am distraught."

Gwent Coroner David Bowen and a Home Office pathologist are investigating the three deaths and post mortem examinations will now be carried out.

Around 30 people a year die in Britain from carbon monoxide poisoning caused by faulty gas appliances.

A spokesman for the Health and Safety Executive warned: "You can't see it, taste it or smell it but carbon monoxide can kill without warning in just a matter of hours."

As the winter months approach and people fire up their central heating systems, he urged people to be aware of the silent killer. He said: "Symptoms include tiredness, drowsiness, headaches, giddiness, nausea, vomiting, pains in the chest, breathlessness, stomach pains, erratic behaviour and visual problems.

"These symptoms can mimic many common ailments and may easily be confused as flu or simple tiredness."

A Council for Registered Gas Installers (Corgi) spokesman explained: "Carbon monoxide is produced when the gas does not burn properly as a result of poor circulation."

CAPTION(S):

FAMILY: Back row Adele's sister Kayley, Lee, Adele and the boy's gran Susan Forbes; DEAD; McCauley Thomas, 5; ESCAPED; Brother Ieuan, 2; DEAD; Great-gran Gloria, 67; DEAD; Husband Patrick, 71; DISTRAUGHT: Adele and Lee Thomas in tears; TRAGEDY: Police at house