A five-year-old boy has been killed in a caravan fire on the NSW mid-north coast after his father lit a candle because his son was scared of the dark.
Firefighters found the body of Isaac Stace inside the caravan after being called to a property at Moto, near Taree, just after 9pm (AEDT) on Saturday.
The young boy's father Steven Stace told police he put Isaac to bed in the caravan about 7pm after lighting a candle because there was no electricity.
He then joined his wife, their eldest son and baby in an old farm shed they had converted into a lounge and kitchen, about 30 metres away.
The family had just moved to the area recently to start a livestock farm with sheep and cattle.
Mr Stace saw flames leaping from the van about two hours later, as the family was watching TV.
Inspector Neil Stephens told the Daily Telegraph: "The little boy was worried about the darkness so his dad left a burning candle for him in the caravan so that he'd have some light."
Mr Stace tried to put out the fire with a bucket and water.
Detectives are investigating the blaze and a report will be prepared for the coroner.
Local livestock auctioneer Dave Callaughan said he recently spoke to Mr Stace and said he was "just as devastated as you could imagine".
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