December 23, 2015 4.51 pm This story is over 104 months old

Lincoln school tribute to ‘kind-hearted’ student Tom Taylor tragically killed in fire

School tribute: The headteacher of a Lincoln school has expressed shock and sadness after “kind-hearted” sixth form student Tom Taylor was tragically killed in a fire.
Tributes left at the scene of the fire, outside the house on De Wint Avenue in Lincoln.

The headteacher of a Lincoln school has expressed shock and sadness after “kind-hearted” sixth form student Tom Taylor was tragically killed in a fire, days before Christmas.

Seventeen-year-old Tom had attended The Priory Witham Academy from Year 7 to Year 11. He joined the sixth form at The Priory Academy LSST in September 2015 and was studying Chemistry, Biology, Computing and Sports Studies at A-Level.

Andrew Madge, Headteacher at The Priory Witham Academy, said: “We are deeply saddened to learn that Tom has lost his life in this tragedy.

“Tom was such a kind-hearted person and a very well-known member of his year group and the school as a whole.

“He excelled in all that he did and had a particular love of music, being a member of the school band. He had settled exceptionally well into Year 12 at LSST and was thoroughly enjoying his sixth form studies.

“Tom had an extremely wide friendship group and was very popular with staff as well as his fellow students.

“He will be deeply missed by everyone and our thoughts are very much with his family and friends at such a difficult time.

“There is a huge sense of shock among all the Priory pupils who knew Tom. We will be making counselling available to students at Witham and LSST when the new term begins in January.”

"To Tom's Mum and Dad and Jack, I wanted you to have my teddy bear, from Freya Ellis age 7 and Jess aged 16."

“To Tom’s Mum and Dad and Jack, I wanted you to have my teddy bear, from Freya Ellis age 7 and Jess aged 16.”

Lincolnshire Police and Lincolnshire Fire and Rescue are continuing investigations into the cause of the blaze which engulfed the magic shop on De Wint Avenue in Lincoln on Monday, December 21.

The fire is not being treated as suspicious.

Earlier today, DI Mark Blackbourn said: “My heart goes out to the family. It’s a tragic accident and to lose your son at any time of the year is terrible but then to lose him around Christmas time just seems to make things worse.

“The family are absolutely devastated. We’ve put measures in place to help them as best we can and we’re in contact with them as often as we can be.”

The family has been rocked by the fatal fire.

The family has been rocked by the fatal fire.