First picture of 'arson attack' victim Demi Pearson, 14, pupil of C4's Educating Manchester school Harrop Fold
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First pictures have emerged of the three children killed in a suspected arson attack on a family home.
The first victim has been named as 14-year-old Demi Pearson, who was found dead at the scene on Jackson Street in Walkden, Salford at 4.58am on Monday.
It is believed the Demi was a pupil at Harrop Fold, which is the school featured in Channel 4's Educating Greater Manchester.
Police have confirmed they have launched a manhunt for a murder suspect after treating the fire as 'suspicious'.
Paying tribute to her 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...
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"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.”
Amy Wallace added: “Rest in peace dem, mad how I was only speaking to you the other day, taken way too soon.”
Megan H Newest added: “Wow can’t believe what I’m hearing! Rest in peace Demi Pearson .. so young! X.”
Amber Robinson added: “Rip Demi Pearson, gone far too soon, fly high angel xx.”
(Image: Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News)
(Image: MEN Media)
(Image: MEN MEDIA)
Tegan Lomax added on Facebook: “dem such a cruel world. Demi Pearson.”
Demi Leigh Howarth said: “Spread them wings and fly high baby girl.”
Demi Smith, also on Facebook, said: “Rest in peace angel, was such a nice girl, such a cruel world!!
“Thoughts go out to your friends and family’s and your girlfriend. Fly high beaut.”
An 8-year-old boy and a 7-year-old girl also died in the blaze.
A three-year-old girl is in a critical condition in hospital. The 35-year-old mother of all the children is in a serious condition in hospital.
The Manchester Evening News reported that police had been called to the house to a reported incident there at around 2am, around three hours before the fire service were alerted to the blaze.
(Image: MEN MEDIA)
(Image: MEN MEDIA)
(Image: Steve Allen/Manchester Evening News)
It is understood that in the earlier incident, the police and the fire service were responding to reports of a wheelie bin at the home being set on fire.
It's understood that one line of investigation is a possibility that a flammable liquid was poured through the home’s letterbox.
Police told the Manchester Evening News that there were seven people in the address at the time of the fire. There is an active manhunt for a suspect and officers are keeping an open mind as to whether the incident is gang related.
They confirmed that two 16-year-old boys rescued themselves from the fire.
Police also said they had 'physical contact' with the family 24 hours before the blaze. The incident has been referred to the IPCC."
A Manchester Fire spokesman said: "We were called at 4.58am to a fire at a mid-terrace house on Jackson Street. Four crews attended. They used six breathing apparatus, three hose reels and a ventilation fan to put out the fire.
"Fire crews rescued five people."
A 200 metre cordon remains around the building, the fire spokesman said.