Family targeted in suspected arson attack in Walkden had been living under threat

A FAMILY targeted in a suspected arson attack in Walkden which killed three children had been living under threat, sources have confirmed.

Security measures were put in place at the mid-terrace home in Worsley, Greater Manchester, including the fitting of a device to the property’s letterbox.

The arrangements, known as target hardening, are generally used to strengthen a building to protect it in the event of an attack.

Five people are being questioned in connection with the deaths of Demi Pearson, 14, her eight-year-old brother Brandon and seven-year-old sister Lacie following the blaze on Monday.

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.

[pullquote]”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.”[/pullquote]

Greater Manchester 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.

It is understood the voluntary referral was in response to police contact with the family less than 24 hours before the fatal incident.

Emergency services were called to the address in Jackson Street just before 5am on Monday.

Two 16-year-old boys, Ms Pearson’s son, Kyle, and a friend, who were also in the house, freed themselves before fire crews arrived and put out the blaze.

Kyle reportedly tried to get back into the home to help family members but was beaten back by flames and smoke.

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.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller 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 go to the members of the public who have supported us with our investigation.”

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

Headteacher 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.”

Jackson Street remains cordoned off, with one end blocked by large steel barriers, as the joint police and fire service investigation continues.