WALKDEN FIRE TREATED AS SUSPICIOUS: THREE CHILDREN CONFIRMED DEAD AS THREE YEAR OLD GIRL AND HER MOTHER FIGHT FOR LIFE

Update: Police have now issued a press release

A murder investigation has been launched after three children died in a house fire in Walkden.

Shortly before 5am on Monday 11 December 2017, emergency services were called to Jackson Street to reports of a house fire.

The fire service sought to put the fire under control and rescue the seven people inside.

Sadly a 14-year-old girl died at the scene. The others were taken to hospital where tragically an eight year old boy and seven year old girl later died.

A three year old girl is currently in a critical condition and a 35-year-old woman is in a serious condition in hospital.

Two 16-year-old boys were able to escape the property.

There have been earlier incidents at the address and consequently a referral to the IPCC has been made.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller, Territorial Commander for GMP’s Salford borough said:

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“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.

“We have launched a murder investigation and have a suspect in mind who we are urgently seeking in relation to this attack. All I will say is – he knows who he is and he should give himself up.

“We are appealing for witnesses to the fire, anyone who saw anything or who may know the people involved to please come forward and tell us what you know.

“I stress, we are dealing with the murder of three children here, any information, no matter how small, is very important to the family and the investigation.

 “This is a fast moving live investigation and we have a Major Investigation Team with scores of dedicated detectives working tirelessly.

“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.”

 

Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 0161 856 8797 alternatively call 101 or the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Update: GMP have confirmed they are now actively hunting a person who they believe was involved in this incident, they are also not ruling out it being gang related. GMP had what is described as 'Physical Contact' with the family 24 hours prior to the fire. They have also referred the matter to the IPCC.

A murder investigation is now underway and police are actively searching for a man who they believe was responsible for this tragedy.

Chief Super Indendent Wayne Miller said :

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“All I would say is he knows who he is and he should give himself up immediately.

I would ask that person to do the right thing.”

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Tragic news this afternoon as it revealed during a press briefing held at Swinton police station, that a 14-year-old girl was declared dead at the scene of the fire and unfortunately an 8 year old boy and a 7 year old girl have later died in hospital.

We are told the 35 year old mother of the children along with a 3 year old daughter are fighting for life in Salford Royal hospital. The mother is said to be heavily sedated and does not yet know of the deaths of the children.

2 teenagers have been said to have escaped the blaze but at the moment it is unclear as to their condition.

The fire is said to have started around 5am this morning and fire services were quickly on scene to bring the blaze under control. 

It is being reported that police are conducting one line of investigation into the possibility of a flammable liquid being poured through the letter box of the property, but this is yet to be confirmed.

It is also being said that police were earlier called to an incident involving a wheelie bin being set alight at the home.

This tragedy comes just a few weeks before Christmas and locals in the area have spoke of their heartbreak at what has happened in their community. 

Police cordons remain in place as they continue with their forensic examinations and Manchester Fire remain to ensure that all pockets of fire remain extinguished.

As soon as we have any further updates we will update this post.