This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2017/dec/12/salford-fire-home-security-stepped-up-suspected-arson-attack

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Salford fire: home security stepped up before suspected arson attack Salford fire: home security stepped up before suspected arson attack
(about 2 hours later)
A family whose home was set on fire in a suspected arson attack that killed three children had put security measures in place, it has been reported. A family whose home was set on fire in a suspected arson attack that killed three children had lived in fear of an attack for two weeks, it has been reported.
The measures had been put in place at the mid-terrace home in Walkden in Salford, Greater Manchester, including the fitting of a device to the letterbox, according to the Manchester Evening News. The arrangements, known as target hardening, are generally used to strengthen a building to protect it in the event of an attack. Emergency services were called to the mid-terrace house in Walkden, Salford, at around 5am on Monday. Four people are now being questioned on suspicion of murdering Demi Pearson, 14, her eight-year-old brother Brandon and seven-year-old sister Lacie after the fire.
Four people are being questioned on suspicion of murdering Demi Pearson, 14, her eight-year-old brother Brandon and seven-year-old sister Lacie after the fire on Monday. The children’s mother, Michelle Pearson, 35, is in a serious condition in hospital while a fourth sibling, three-year-old Lia, is critically ill. The children’s mother, Michelle Pearson, 35, is in a serious condition in hospital while a fourth sibling, three-year-old Lia, is critically ill.
Greater Manchester police confirmed there had been “earlier incidents” at the address. It is understood police were called to a separate incident at the property at about 2am, three hours before the fire. The force has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is standard practice after someone dies after contact with the police. The Manchester Evening News reports that the fire brigade had fitted a device to the house’s letterbox at the end of last month to prevent flammable materials being poured through it. The arrangements, known as target hardening, are generally used to strengthen a building to protect it in the event of an attack.
Greater Manchester police confirmed there had been “earlier incidents” at the address. It is understood police were called to a separate incident at the property – thought to involve a wheelie bin being set alight – at about 2am, three hours before the fire. The force has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission, which is standard practice after someone dies after contact with the police.
It is understood one line of inquiry is that the culprit may have climbed up scaffolding outside the property to pour fuel down the chimney. It has been reported that fuel was found in at least three locations in the house, the chimney, a ground-floor room, and the front door.
Emergency services were called to the address in Jackson Street just before 5am on Monday. Pearson’s eldest son, Kyle, and a friend, both 16, escaped the fire before emergency crews arrived. Demi was pronounced dead at the scene. Lacie and Brandon died later in hospital.Emergency services were called to the address in Jackson Street just before 5am on Monday. Pearson’s eldest son, Kyle, and a friend, both 16, escaped the fire before emergency crews arrived. Demi was pronounced dead at the scene. Lacie and Brandon died later in hospital.
Three men, aged 23, 20 and 18, and a 20-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday. A 24-year-old man is also being questioned in custody on suspicion of assisting an offender.Three men, aged 23, 20 and 18, and a 20-year-old woman were arrested on suspicion of murder on Monday. A 24-year-old man is also being questioned in custody on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Police had previously urged a murder suspect to hand himself in, saying there was “an active manhunt” to find an individual who they did not name.Police had previously urged a murder suspect to hand himself in, saying there was “an active manhunt” to find an individual who they did not name.
“All I would say is he knows who he is and he should give himself up immediately,” said Ch Supt Wayne Miller. “I would ask that person to do the right thing.”“All I would say is he knows who he is and he should give himself up immediately,” said Ch Supt Wayne Miller. “I would ask that person to do the right thing.”
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Kyle paid tribute to his siblings. “Demi was a top girl, very funny. Brandon was very clever and doing well at school. He was brainy. He loved playing computer games and he was looking forward to Christmas,” he said. Of Lacie, he said: “She was the same, clever.”Speaking to the Manchester Evening News, Kyle paid tribute to his siblings. “Demi was a top girl, very funny. Brandon was very clever and doing well at school. He was brainy. He loved playing computer games and he was looking forward to Christmas,” he said. Of Lacie, he said: “She was the same, clever.”
“I fell asleep and the next thing I knew was I could hear my mum screaming: ‘Fire.’ There was lots of smoke so I climbed out of an upstairs window. I’ve gone to get back in but a cloud of smoke hit me in the face. I tried to break the front door down and smashed a window, but I couldn’t get in because of the flames and the smoke. I can’t get my head around it. It’s disgraceful,” he said.“I fell asleep and the next thing I knew was I could hear my mum screaming: ‘Fire.’ There was lots of smoke so I climbed out of an upstairs window. I’ve gone to get back in but a cloud of smoke hit me in the face. I tried to break the front door down and smashed a window, but I couldn’t get in because of the flames and the smoke. I can’t get my head around it. It’s disgraceful,” he said.
Floral tributes continue to be left in Jackson Street on Tuesday, while candles have been lit in memory of Demi, Brandon and Lacie at nearby St John the Baptist Church in Little Hulton.
In a statement, the mayor of Salford, Paul Dennett, said: “Our thoughts are with the friends and family of those killed and seriously injured in this horrific incident in our city. We’ll continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our communities and police to bring those responsible to justice.”
Miller said: “In what is such a heartbreaking set of circumstances, we have been doing our very best to support the family in every way that we can and carry out our inquiries quickly and sensitively.Miller said: “In what is such a heartbreaking set of circumstances, we have been doing our very best to support the family in every way that we can and carry out our inquiries quickly and sensitively.
“We are still appealing for people who witnessed the fire itself or the events leading up to it to get in contact with us and tell us what they know. My thanks go to the members of the public who have supported us with our investigation.”“We are still appealing for people who witnessed the fire itself or the events leading up to it to get in contact with us and tell us what they know. My thanks go to the members of the public who have supported us with our investigation.”