Tributes are flowing in for a talented teenage footballer who tragically lost his life in a flat fire.
Tommy Ballay-Dean, 16, affectionately known as Junior Dean, passed away following a fire that erupted in a first-floor flat on Cooper’s Road in Southwark, south London, on Wednesday afternoon. Another teenage boy managed to escape the premises before the arrival of firefighters and was subsequently hospitalized, according to the London Fire Brigade (LFB).
An online fundraising campaign has been initiated on GoFundMe to assist Junior’s family with the expenses for his funeral. Described as “the heart and soul of Southwark Residents and a beloved member of the broader Southwark community,” Junior was known for his unwavering faith and talent. He was recognized for leading prayers before matches and consistently uplifting those around him, often placing others’ needs ahead of his own.
The fundraiser expressed sympathies to Junior’s family, friends, schoolmates at St Thomas the Apostle School in Peckham, teammates at Mass Elite, and his former clubs and academies, including Blasé Ballers FC and Rotherhithe FC. Within just two days of its launch, the campaign had already raised over £35,000.
Hudayfi Awale, a former football coach of Junior, paid tribute to the youngster as “an exceptional footballer, but an even better individual” in a social media post. Awale remembered Junior as someone who brightened every room he entered, with a constant smile and a knack for making others laugh. He described Junior as respectful, vibrant, and a source of joy, emphasizing that his loss is deeply felt.
Quadrant Performance Academy, a multi-sports coaching academy based in South London, announced on Instagram that a tournament dedicated to Junior will take place on April 11, with all proceeds directed towards supporting his family.
The LFB responded to the fire call just before 3 pm on Wednesday, dispatching crews from Dockhead, Dowgate, Shadwell, and Whitechapel fire stations. Approximately 25 firefighters and four fire engines were deployed to combat the blaze in the six-story building adjacent to Old Kent Road Fire Station, managing to bring the fire under control shortly after 4.30 pm.
A 64-meter turntable ladder from Old Kent Road Fire Station promptly arrived within six minutes of the emergency call, as confirmed by an LFB spokesperson. The cause of the fire is currently under investigation by the LFB’s Fire Investigation Unit in conjunction with the Metropolitan Police.