House where three children perished in blazing inferno had been 'target hardened as family were living under threat'
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A family struck by a triple tragedy after three children died in a suspected arson attack had been living under threat before the devastating blaze, according to reports.
Five people were arrested in connection with the fire as police launched a murder investigation on Monday.
Manchester Evening News has now reported security had recently been stepped up at the mid-terrace property.
Schoolgirl Demi Pearson, 14, died in the fire 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 Pearson remains in a serious condition and is unaware three of her six children are dead.
(Image: Daily Mirror)
Two 16-year-old boys managed to escape the blaze at the house in Walkden, Manchester.
Sources confirmed the house had been "target hardened" to protect the family living there from attack.
Measures included the fitting of an increased security device on the letterbox.
Police confirmed that the force had "very recent physical contact" with the family within 24 hours of the devastating blaze.
It is understood police were called to the family home in response to an 'incident' at around 2am, around three hours before the fire took hold.
As well as the possibility a flammable liquid was poured through the home's letterbox, there have also been reports the perpetrator or perpetrators used scaffolding to launch the attack. There has been been no confirmation of this by Greater Manchester Police.
Chief Supt Wayne Miller confirmed at a press conference there had been "earlier incidents" at the address, but refused to elaborate further or confirm the nature of the call.
As a result of the prior police contact, GMP has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in line with procedure.
The police chief said: "There have been earlier incidents at the address and consequently a referral to the IPCC has been made."
Asked whether the tragedy is being linked to organised crime, Chief Supt Miller said the force was "keeping an open mind" and did not comment further.
He added: "This is a fast moving live investigation and we have a major investigation team with scores of dedicated detectives working tirelessly."
(Image: ENTERPRISE NEWS AND PICTURES)
The devastated older brother of the three young children killed has spoken of the moment he tried desperately to save them.
Speaking about the horrific incident, Kyle 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 can’t get my head around it. It’s disgraceful.
"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."