Mum of three children 'murdered in arson attack' doesn't know they are dead as she fights for life in hospital
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The mum of three children allegedly murdered in arson attack at their home doesn't know they are dead while she fights for own life life in hospital.
Schoolgirl Demi Pearson, 14, died along with her eight-year-old brother and seven-year-old sister, named locally as Brandon and Lacie.
A three-year-old girl was also left in a critical condition.
Mum-of-six Michelle also remains in a serious condition and is unaware that three of her six children are dead.
Two 16-year-old boys also managed to escape the blaze at the house in Walkden, Manchester.
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Neighbours described the terrified screams from the house as it was engulfed in an inferno as firefighters fought the flames after being called to the property at 5am.
Police confirmed the tragedy was being treated as a murder enquiry and tonight four suspects - men aged 23, 20 and 18, plus a 20-year-old woman - were being questioned on suspicion of murder.
A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.
Family friend Janette Dean, 54, said: "I've known Michelle - 'Shell' - Pearson now for over 20 years.
"She was a great person - I felt sick when I found out about what had happened. I felt sick to the bottom of my stomach.
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"What happened today is terrible, it's the worse - it's unbelievable those kids are dead.
"I've lost two children in circumstances too and Shell helped me when my kids died, she was there for me."
Detectives earlier said an ‘active manhunt’ was underway, although no name was issued for the suspect they wanted.
Chief Supt Wayne Miller said of the suspect: “All I would say is he knows who he is and he should give himself up immediately. I would ask that person to do the right thing.
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“We have a suspect who we are urgently seeking in relation to this attack.”
Asked whether the tragedy was related to organised crime, the police chief said the force was ‘keeping an open mind’.
He spoke of a ‘truly horrific’ incident as he appealed for witnesses to the fire or anyone with information to come forward.
He added: “We have launched a murder investigation - this is the murder using fire of three children.
"This will devastate this family forever. Words cannot describe what they are going through.
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“We are dealing with the murder of three children here.”
Seven people were rescued from the property and taken to hospital.
One woman, who did not wish to be named, said she knew the mother of the family.
She said: “I have known Michelle for years. 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.”
(Image: Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News)
It is understood some of the victims of the fire, including Demi, attended Harrop Fold School in Salford which featured in the Channel 4 TV Series Educating Greater Manchester.
Executive headteacher Drew Povey said in a statement: “We are devasted at the tragic loss of life today in our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family involved.”
Paying tribute to Demi on Facebook, Kirsty Livingstone posted: “Demi Pearson you are one of the funniest An (sic) loving young woman that iv ever got to know... Im so grateful to have the opportunity to watch you grow from a lil girl to a beautiful young woman...
"I can’t believe your gone... your cheek face An funny attitude will be missed by everyone who had the opportunity to know you. Fly high angel R.I.P Demi.”
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Chief Supt Miller added: “This is a truly horrific incident with absolutely tragic consequences.
"The deaths of three children is heartbreaking. Our thoughts go to the family. We need the public’s help to find the answers the family deserve.”
He added that trained officers were supporting the family and ‘scores of officers’ were working on the enquiry.
Detectives confirmed that there had been ‘earlier incidents’ at the address.
It is understood that police and emergency services had been called to the property after an incident three hours before the blaze after claims a wheelie bin had been set on fire.
Greater Manchester Policw has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).