The heartbroken family of a seven-year-old boy who died after a prank involving petrol has criticised the authorities and claimed they have been stigmatised for living in a working class area.
Preston Flores was found on fire while playing with friends in Bedford Avenue on April 18. He suffered burns to 80% of his body.
His parents Keith Will, 32, and Luisza Flores, 33, are demanding a public inquiry into the incident.
The couple, who live in Powis Circle, are suing Aberdeen City Council for negligence amid claims the van from which the fuel was taken was left unlocked and unattended.
The petrol was taken from a canister found in the back of a local authority vehicle, which eye witnesses said Preston and other children had been playing on top of before the tragic accident happened.
Health and Safety officials are investigating the allegation.
Mother-of-five Luisza said: “We have given the police lots of information, including the things Preston told his dad about what happened to him. Nothing has come of it. It’s as if they don’t believe us.
“We hope a fatal accident inquiry will give us answers.”
Preston was just two days from his eighth birthday when the accident happened.
Mr Will said: “The council didn’t even clean up properly after the fire. We are still picking up bits of my son from the street now, months later.
“It is because we’re from Powis and all the stigma attached to this place. It’s wrong.
“If we were from the west end it would be different. But we are simple, working class people. We don’t know how to cope with something like this.”
The family has claimed no police liaison officer was assigned to them, a claim Police Scotland rejects.
Area Commander North Chief Inspector Nick Topping said: “This was an extremely challenging and traumatic incident for all involved and support was provided to the family and local community throughout. There has been no evidence of any criminality.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman insisted its social work staff did seek to offer support to the family after the incident, but declined to comment further as the matter is the subject of potential legal action.