Triple death Salford house fire was 'targeted' attack, police say

Police investigating a house fire that killed three children in Salford believe the attack was targeted.

Greater Manchester Police made the announcement after viewing CCTV footage taken from the area near the blaze, which also left a three-year-old girl and her mother fighting for their lives.

Officers say there had been "earlier incidents" at the house and police had been in contact with the family just hours before the attack.

Due to the previous interaction with the family, the force has referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The fire at a house in Jackson Street, Worsley, trapped seven members of a family inside.

Demi Pearson, 14, Brandon, 8, and Lacie, 7, all died.

The childrens' mother, Michelle, is in a serious condition in hospital and a fourth sibling, three-year-old Lia, is critically ill.

Ms Pearson, 35, is understood to be heavily sedated, and has not been told of her childrens' death.

Two 16-year-old boys - Ms Pearson's son Kyle and a friend - managed to escape from the fire.

So far, six people have been arrested in connection with the attack.

A 20-year-old woman and four men - aged 25, 23, 20 and 19 - have all been arrested on suspicion of murder.

The latter two have now been released on bail.

A 24-year-old man was also arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender, and has also now been released on bail.

Chief superintendent Wayne Miller said: "We now have a much deeper understanding of the devastating events which lead to the tragic deaths of three children in Walkden in the early hours of yesterday morning and have made significant progress in this investigation.

"I cannot imagine what their family are going through, they are obviously completely devastated, the loss of a child in any circumstances is unthinkable; to lose three in such deplorable circumstances, words cannot describe. My heart breaks for them.

"We have a full team of detectives working on this case and now believe this be a targeted attack on the house after collecting CCTV from the area.

"This will be a painstaking investigation for all involved. We will continue to work with the fire service to establish the cause of the fire but this is not a quick process."

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