LITTLE LIA, 3, IS FOURTH CHILD TO DIE
TOT LOSES FIGHT FOR LIFE AFTER BLAZE CLAIMED THREE OF HER SIBLINGS
A BLAZE at a family home in Salford has claimed a fourth child victim.
Lia Pearson, aged three, who was rescued by fire crews from the burning terraced house in Walkden early on Monday morning, has lost her fight for life.
The fire had already killed her sisters Demi, 14, and Lacie, seven, and brother Brandon, eight.
The children’s mother, Michelle, 35, remains in a drug-induced coma in hospital having suffered severe burns.
Two other teenagers in the house escaped the property.
Sandra Lever posted on Facebook yesterday afternoon: “Just letting everyone know they just turned life machine off on Lia, she has passed away peacefuly, my beautiful granddaughter go find your brother and two sisters, love you all so much.”
The fire broke out just before 5am on Monday at the terraced house in Jackson Street, Walkden.
Three hours earlier, police had attended the property to deal with a disturbance.
GMP have referred the case voluntarily to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) due to having contact with the family within 24 hours of the devastating fire.
Chief Supt Wayne Miller, of Salford Police, has described the incident as ‘truly horrific.’
He said: “This will devastate the family forever. Words cannot describe what they are going through.”
Children at Harrop Fold High School in Little Hulton – where Demi was a pupil – and Bridgewater Primary, where Lacie and Brandon attended, are being given counselling and support from staff.
A GMP spokesman confirmed yesterday: “A little girl who was fighting for her life after a house fire in Walkden has sadly died in hospital. Shortly before 5am on Monday, 11 December 2017, emergency services were called to Jackson Street in Walkden to reports of a house fire.
“The fire service sought to put the fire under control and rescue the seven people inside. The girl is believed to be 3-year-old Lia Pearson. Her brothers and sisters Demi Pearson, 14, Brandon Pearson, 8 and Lacie Pearson, 7 also sadly died in the fire. The children’s mother is currently fighting for her life in hospital. Two 16-year-old boys escaped from the house uninjured.”