Sixth suspect held after children die in arson attack

A SIXTH person has been arrested in connection with an arson attack that killed three children in Greater Manchester.

Five people were taken into custody overnight in connection with the murder of Demi Pearson (14), her eight-year-old brother Brandon and sister Lacie (7) following the blaze in Worsley on Monday.

The children’s 35-year-old mother, Michelle Pearson, is in a serious condition in hospital while a fourth sibling, threeyear-old Lia, is critically ill.

Three men aged 23, 20 and 19, and a 20-year-old woman, are being questioned on suspicion of murder, while a 24-year-old man is also being questioned on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Yesterday, Greater Manchester Police revealed that a 25-year-old man has now been arrested on suspicion of the three murders and the attempted murder of Michelle and Lia.

The 19-year-old man and 20-year-old man have since been released on bail, the force said.

Speaking at a press conference, Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller said: “I can’t imagine what the family are going through.”

Since the tragedy it has emerged that the Pearson family had been living under threat, sources have confirmed.

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

It is understood one line of inquiryisthattheculpritmayhave climbed up scaffolding outside the property to pour fuel down the chimney.

Ms Pearson remains heavily sedated in hospital and is unaware that her children have died.