A 13-year-old schoolgirl has died in a house fire in which five other children, a woman and a man escaped unharmed.
Firefighters were scrambled to a mid-terraced home in Kingsway, Prescot, yesterday at 11.42pm after receiving a 999 call after a fire had broken out in the first floor rear bedroom of the property.
Neighbours told how they woke up to screams and heard a man shouting ‘jump, I’ll get you outside the window’ as flames took hold of the home.
Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service have launched a joint investigation into the cause of the fatal blaze.
Today grieving friends of the teen girl, named locally as Layla, have been laying floral tributes, teddy bears, dolls, and Disney characters in tribute.
Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill said: ‘Our thoughts are with the family of the young girl at this very sad time. A joint investigation into the cause of the fire is ongoing and the girl’s family is being supported by specially trained officers.’
Police officers have today been guarding a cordon outside the house which, according to one local, had recently been renovated.
One neighbour told Liverpool Echo: ‘I never expected the little girl to die. My granddaughter was friends with her, she used to play with the kids outside the house. She’s heartbroken.
Firefighters were scrambled to a mid-terraced home in Kingsway, Prescot, yesterday at 11.42pm
‘There was a man shouting, ‘jump, I’ll get you’ outside the window.’
One tribute attached to a bunch of flowers read: ‘I will forever miss you Layla, fly high my beautiful friend. Love you forever. Thank you for being you.’
Merseyside Police released a statement tonight confirming it had launched a joint investigation with the fire service.
A spokesperson said: ‘MFRS Fire Control received a 999 call at 11.42pm last night, Wednesday 2 April, with three fire engines on scene shortly after.
‘On arrival, firefighters found one mid-terraced house with a fire located in the first-floor rear bedroom.
‘Four firefighters were committed in breathing apparatus (BA) to extinguish the fire and search for occupants.
‘A man, woman and five children were able to escape from the property unharmed.
‘Sadly, a 13-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene. Her family are aware and are being supported by specially trained officers.
‘The fire was extinguished at 00.29am this morning, Thursday 3 April, with natural ventilation taking place, and utilities to the premises were isolated.
‘Neighbouring properties were checked for fire and smoke spread. The property of origin was checked for further hotspots as fire crews monitored temperatures to the first floor, roof space, and externally.’
This is a breaking news story. More to follow.
