House Fire Deaths: Teenager Appears In Court

A teenager has appeared in court charged with the murder of four siblings who died after a house fire.

Dyson Allen, 19, of no fixed address, is accused of killing two-year-old Jordan Smith, four-year-old twins Holly and Ella, and Reece, 19.

They all died of smoke inhalation following a fire at a bungalow in Freckleton, Lancashire, in January this year.

Their mother Michelle Smith, 36, was led to safety by firefighters.

Solicitor Hugh Pond told magistrates in Blackpool that Allen will deny the charge.

The teenager, dressed in dark jeans and a grey hoodie, spoke only to confirm that he understood the proceedings.

As he was led from the dock, he mouthed the words: "I love you," to a woman in the public gallery.

She gestured back by making a heart shape with her hands.

The defendant was remanded in custody until Monday for another initial hearing at Preston Crown Court.