THE family of a Southampton toddler killed when fire swept through his home today spoke of their grief.

Little Louie Bowers died after being trapped inside the maisonette in Weston yesterday morning.

Neighbours and firefighters tried to save the 21-month-old but he died on his way to hospital.

Today his mum, Lisa, said: "Louie was just 21 months old and will be missed greatly by his family and his extended family.

"We who knew this little boy are heartbroken and his loss is irreplaceable. All we wish for now is to grieve privately for Louie as a family which has suffered a great loss in such traumatic circumstances."

Fire broke out in the first floor bedroom of a maisonette above a parade of shops in Kingsclere Close at about 8am yesterday. Police say Lisa, 33, and her four other children managed to escape and raise the alarm but Louie was trapped. Lisa's mum's boyfriend known as Gary who's believed to live next door tried to get back into the flat.

But he was beaten back by the intense heat and smoke as he tried to save Louie.

The flat is understood to have been fitted with a working smoke alarm.

Neighbour Reg Noice, 42, also rushed next door in an attempt to rescue Louie.

He tried to get into the bedroom four times to reach the youngster before he too, was forced back by the intense heat and smoke.

Production worker Mr Noice, a friend of the family, said: "The smoke was just black. There was a door to get into the bedroom. There were flames and black smoke. I could feel the heat from the bedroom. As soon as I got to the landing I saw the smoke."

Mr Noyce described how Lisa had been outside the flat screaming Louie's name.

He said: "She just was absolutely devastated. She was screaming 'try and save my baby'."

"We have comforted her. We said to her it would be all right, but it was not."

He said how Gary had attempted to get in the bedroom several times before being forced out by the heat. Mr Noice said: "He kept going in and out. He was just trying desperately. Lisa was saying again and again, "I have lost my baby."

Firefighters from Hightown and St Mary's fire stations arrived on the scene moments after the alarm was raised.

They battled their way into the flat, found Louie in a cot in a bedroom and brought him outside to revive him.

He was taken to Southampton General Hospital by paramedics but was pronounced dead on arrival.

A second child, believed to be Lisa's other son, was also taken to hospital where he was treated for minor burns.

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Superintendent Gary Linton, said: "This is a tragic incident in which a young child has died. Our sympathies go out to the family at this time."

An investigation team of 12 police officers including specialists in interviewing children, forensic scientists and a family liaison officer will be conducting the investigation.

DS Linton added: "Officers have been conducting house-to-house inquiries this morning. We have spoken to most of the neighbours but, if anyone feels that they have information relevant to our inquiry we are keen to hear from them."

Neighbours spoke of their shock when they were told of the tragedy.

Florence Whitehouse, 80, of Kingsclere Avenue, fought back tears as she said how she had heard screaming from the flats opposite.

She said: "I was nearly ready to get out of bed. It sounded just like children at first. It was a terrible screaming."

Kelly Healey, a supervisor with the Forbouys store said how she smelt smoke coming through the door of the ground floor shop which is just below the fire in the parade of flats.

She said: "I thought it was someone having a bonfire. Then a customer came in and said there was a fire. The smoke was coming in the shop so we had to close it. There were flames coming out of the window of the flat as well."

Anyone with information should contact Bitterne CID on 0845 045 45 45 or call the anonymous Crimestoppers line on 0800 555 111.