Four people have been arrested on suspicion of murder after three children died in a house fire. A 14-year-old girl, named locally as Demi Pearson, was pronounced dead at the scene in Worsley, Greater Manchester. An eight-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl later died in hospital.
The children’s 35-year-old mother, named locally as Michelle Pearson, is in a serious condition in hospital, while a fourth sibling, a three-year-old girl, is critically ill. Three men, aged 23, 20 and 18, and a woman, 20, are now being questioned in custody on suspicion of murder.
A 24-year-old man has also been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Emergency services were called to the mid-terraced house in Jackson Street just before 5am on Monday. Two 16-year-old boys who were also in the house managed to free themselves before fire crews arrived.Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller, from Greater Manchester Police, said: ‘The deaths of these three children is heart-breaking.
Our thoughts are with their loved ones, and the little girl and her mum who are in hospital fighting for their lives.We currently have specially trained officers with the family to help them through this difficult time.’ Police confirmed there were ‘earlier incidents’ at the address and said it had made a self-referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.
A large police presence remained at the scene throughout Monday as both ends of the street were cordoned off.Tearful residents stood at the ends of the street, consoling each other with hugs and embraces.
One woman, who did not wish to be named, said she knew Michelle. ‘I have known Michelle for years,’ she said. ‘The family have lived here for a long time. We are all just in shock. ‘There has been trouble round here before, but it’s more wannabe gangsters, teenage stuff.’
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