A mother's plans for a birthday party for her son next month have changed to that of a funeral, after an old house suddenly collapsed on the child, killing him.

Marvalyn Williams was planning the party for her son, Antoine Wydham, who was to celebrate his second birthday on March 26. Instead, in a few days the family will bury the child, who was unable to escape the sudden collapse of the old building in their backyard at 11 Wellington Street, Kingston 14.

Ms. Williams, now seven months pregnant, has been left traumatised.

"It (the house) didn't look like anything that was dropping down, it just look like any old building," said an obviously shocked Williams.

Patricia Holton, Antoine's aunt, gave an account of the sudden and freakish event.

According to Holton, on Saturday the toddler, his siblings and a cousin, aged four to eight years old, were playing when they heard a loud explosion. Scared, the children ran off leaving Antoine and his brother behind.

While the two tried to escape, his brother's leg became trapped in the rubble while Antoine was totally covered.

Explosion

Williams, who was also home, said she had just stepped inside after feeding Antoine when the incident occurred.

"I was outside sitting down when my son asked me for some porridge and I gave it to him. He and his cousins were running up and down and playing. After that I went into the room and then I hear the explosion. When I come out I saw him and his likkle brother over there (the spot where the house fell on him). I took up the baby and run to Kingston Public Hospital with him," she said.

But when she arrived at the hospital, medical personnel could do nothing and Antoine was subsequently pronounced dead. Now, all that remains of the old building is a heap of brick, and board.

The fact that her unborn child will never know Antoine adds to Williams' grief.

"It is bitter, because he not gonna see his little sister. Two of them not gonna play together," Williams said.

"I am stressed out, crying whenever I remember about it, all the members of my family can hardly believe it," she said.

Antoine's cousin and siblings who saw what happened have since received counselling at school.

She added that Antoine's father is also grieving.

Williams said since the incident, they are "nervous" when the children pass the spot. She says the children's grandmother often encouraged them not to go to the spot, as she feared that something terrible could happen to them.

The Denham Town police are investigating.