Manhunt after three children die in Salford house fire

Police have begun a murder inquiry after three children died in a suspected arson attack on a house in Salford.

Firefighters from three local stations were called to the family home in Jackson Street, Worsley, at 4.58am this morning and a 14-year-old girl - named locally as Demi Pearson - was declared dead at the scene.

An eight-year-old boy and a seven-year-old girl later died in hospital, with another three-year-old girl fighting for her life.

Nearby Harrop Fold School - where Demi was a pupil - tweeted a statement from executive headteacher Drew Povey.

It read: "We are devastated at the tragic loss of life today in our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family involved."

The 35-year-old mother of all four children is also in a serious condition in hospital, with one woman who knew her naming her as Michelle Pearson.

The woman - who did not want to be identified - 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."

Another neighbour told Sky News that she did not see what happened, but could hear "screaming and banging" coming from the property at the time of the blaze.

Greater Manchester Police said a manhunt was under way for a suspect and the force was "keeping an open mind" as to whether the incident was gang-related.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller said: "The death of these three children is heart breaking. Our thoughts are with their loved ones and the little girl and her mum who are in hospital fighting for their lives.

"We currently have specially-trained officers with the family to help them through this devastating time."

He called on the suspect to "give himself up", adding that "he knows who he is".

"This is a fast moving live investigation and we have a major investigation team with scores of dedicated detectives working tirelessly," he continued.

"I want to describe what this incident is; it's the murder, using fire, of three children and we have a three-year-old girl fighting for her life who is seriously ill.

"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.

"We want to make arrests as soon as possible and we appeal to local people to help us in this."

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service tweeted: "Sadly it's been confirmed that three children have died following this morning's house fire in Worsley, another child and a woman are in hospital in a very serious condition. This is a truly tragic incident and all our thoughts go out to the family."

Two 16-year-old boys managed to escape the blaze before crews arrived but their condition is not known.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission because there had been "earlier incidents at the address", police said.

Jackson Street remains closed - with one end blocked by large steel barriers - and firefighters are still at the scene to monitor for any hot spots, with the front downstairs windows of the property boarded up and the blackened window frame of the upstairs front bedroom hanging loose.

Forensic investigators are also in attendance.

:: Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 8797 or 101. Alternatively call Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.