Parents pay tribute to tragic daughter

Libby-Jayne Hornsby was pronounced dead after being rescued by firefighters from the bedroom of the terraced house in Don Street, Conisbrough, near Doncaster, last Thursday night.

Her mother, Kelly Hambrey, said in a statement: “Libby-Jayne was a perfect little girl, always smiling and happy.

“She was loved by all of her family, her mum, brother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.

“She was our world. As a family we want to thank our friends and neighbours for their support at this time.”

Libby-Jayne’s father Neil Hornsby said she was “always full of life”, and also thanked the emergency services for their attempts to save her.

“She was always full of life and fun, with bright hair and bright eyes,” he said.

“Before Libby was born I felt something was missing in my life, and after she was born I knew that I had found what was missing – it was Libby.

“My life with Libby was brilliant, but now there is something missing again.”

He added: “I have been told of the bravery of the police and fire service who tried to rescue my daughter and I want to thank them sincerely from the bottom of my heart for their efforts.”

The cause of the blaze is being investigated, but it is thought to have started in bedding in a bedroom.

Steve Green, of South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service, called it a “tragic incident”, but urged residents to have smoke alarms fitted after revealing there were none in the house.

Two fire crews were called to the property just before 8pm on Thursday and entered with thermal-imaging cameras after a neighbour alerted the emergency services.

It is not clear who was in the house at the time of the fire.