Five arrested after devastating blaze at house in Manchester which killed three children and left a fourth and their mother fighting for life

Five people are being questioned on suspicion of murder after three children died in a house fire in Manchester.

Demi Pearson, 14, was pronounced dead at the scene in Worsley, Salford, while her eight-year-old brother Brandon and seven-year-old sister Lacie later died in hospital.

The children's 35-year-old mother, Michelle Pearson, is in a serious condition in hospital while a fourth sibling, three-year-old Lia, is critically ill.

Greater Manchester Police said three men, aged 23, 20 and 18, and a 20-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of murder.

A 24-year-old man is also being questioned in custody on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Two 16-year-old boys were able to escape the property before fire crews arrived and put out the blaze.

It is feared that flammable liquid was poured through the home's letterbox, according to the Manchester Evening News.

Emergency services were first called to reports of a house fire on Jackson Street, in Walkden at 5am on December 11.

Despite efforts to rescue the people inside, the three children died.

Police confirmed there had been "earlier incidents" at the address and said the force had made a self-referral to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "In what is such a heart-breaking 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 goes to the members of the public who have supported us with our investigation."

Earlier, Mr Miller urged an unnamed suspect to hand himself in as he told reporters: "He knows who he is and he should give himself up.

"This will devastate this family forever and words cannot describe what they are going through. We need the public's help to find the answers the family deserve."

Demi was a pupil at Harrop Fold School in Salford, which featured in the Channel 4 documentary Educating Greater Manchester.

Head teacher Drew Povey said: "We are devastated at the tragic loss of life today in our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family involved."

A large police presence remained at the scene throughout the day as both ends of Jackson Street were cordoned off, with one end blocked by large steel barriers.

Anyone with any information should contact police on 0161 856 8797, or call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.