text: A fireman who owned a flat in which five members of the same family were murdered in an arson attack – including three children under five – has been charged with their manslaughter through gross negligence. Jay Liptrot, 43, was among the first firefighters on the scene of the 200C inferno at a block of flats in Prestatyn, North Wales. His tenant Lee-Anna Shiers, 20, her partner Liam Timbrell, 23, their baby Charlie, 15 months, Miss Shiers’s nephew Bailey, four, and niece Skye, two, were trapped and perished in the first-floor flat owned by Liptrot. Charged: Jay Liptrot, 43, was among the first firefighters on the scene of the 200C inferno at a block of flats in Prestatyn, North Wales. Pictured, the fire-damaged front room after the arson attack . Victims: His tenant Lee-Anna Shiers, 20, her partner Liam Timbrell, 23, their baby Charlie, 15 months, Miss Shiers’s nephew Bailey, four, right, and niece Skye, two, left, were trapped and perished in the first-floor flat . Melanie Smith, 45, a neighbour of the victims, was jailed for life for murdering the family. The jobless alcoholic set fire to a pushchair in October 2012 because she was fed up with it being left outside her door. Liptrot, who then owned 12 properties in Prestatyn, gave evidence at Smith’s trial at Mold Crown Court. The jury heard there were battery-operated smoke alarms in the flat, but the windows did not open wide enough for anyone to climb out – and the only other means of escape was through the front door. Yesterday, Liptrot was bailed after appearing at Prestatyn Magistrates’ Court charged with five counts of manslaughter. He indicated that he would plead not guilty when his trial begins at Mold Crown Court on Friday. Sentenced: Jobless alcoholic Melanie Smith, 45, left, a neighbour of the victims, was jailed for life for murdering the family. Right, the entrance door which was damaged in the arson attack . Sorry we are not currently accepting comments on this article.
target: Five members of the same family were trapped and died in North Wales flat .
  Jay Liptrot, who owned the property, has been charged with manslaughter .
  A neighbour of the victims was jailed for life for murdering the family .