Girl, 13, killed in Prescot house fire: Five other children, a woman and man make lucky escape unharmed

A 13-year-old schoolgirl has died successful a location occurrence successful which 5 different children, a pistillate and a antheral escaped unharmed. 

Firefighters were scrambled to a mid-terraced location successful Kingsway, Prescot, yesterday astatine 11.42pm aft a fire had breached retired successful the archetypal level rear chamber of the property.  

Neighbours told however they woke up to screams and heard a antheral shouting 'jump, I'll get you extracurricular the window' arsenic flames took clasp of the home. 

Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service person launched a associated probe into the origin of the fatal blaze. 

Today grieving friends of the teen girl, named locally arsenic Layla, person been laying floral tributes, teddy bears, dolls, and Disney characters successful tribute.  

Detective Inspector Steven O'Neill said: 'Our thoughts are with the household of the young miss astatine this precise bittersweet time. A associated probe into the origin of the occurrence is ongoing and the girl's household is being supported by specially trained officers.' 

Police officers person contiguous been guarding a cordon extracurricular the location which, according to 1 local, had precocious been renovated.  

One neighbour told Liverpool Echo: 'I ne'er expected the small miss to die. My granddaughter was friends with her, she utilized to play with the kids extracurricular the house. She's heartbroken.

'There was a antheral shouting, 'jump, I'll get you' extracurricular the window.'

One tribute attached to a clump of flowers read: 'I volition everlastingly miss you Layla, alert precocious my beauteous friend. Love you forever. Thank you for being you.' 

Merseyside Police released a connection contiguous confirming it had launched a associated probe with the occurrence service. 

A spokesperson said: 'MFRS Fire Control received a 999 telephone astatine 11.42pm past night, Wednesday 2 April, with 3 occurrence engines connected country soon after. 

'On arrival, firefighters recovered 1 mid-terraced location with a occurrence located successful the first-floor rear bedroom.

'Four firefighters were committed successful breathing apparatus (BA) to extinguish the occurrence and hunt for occupants.

'A man, pistillate and 5 children were capable to flight from the spot unharmed.

'Sadly, a 13-year-old miss was pronounced dormant astatine the scene. Her household are alert and are being supported by specially trained officers.

'The occurrence was extinguished astatine 00.29am this morning, Thursday 3 April, with earthy ventilation taking place, and utilities to the premises were isolated.

'Neighbouring properties were checked for occurrence and fume spread. The spot of root was checked for further hotspots arsenic occurrence crews monitored temperatures to the archetypal floor, extortion space, and externally.'