Hundreds of people lined the streets today for the funeral of a mother and her three children who died in a house fire in Bootle. Elisha Brabin, along with Leo, Ellis and Prudence, known as Prue, were at home on Stone Square when the fire broke out at around 3.45am on Tuesday, September 22.
Community pays respects at funeral procession
Emergency services rushed to the semi-detached house, where firefighters found the property to be "well alight". Despite the efforts of all involved, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed that four people were found dead in a bedroom upstairs. The fire service later said the blaze was caused by a lithium-ion battery from an electric scooter.
Today, the community paid their respects to Elisha, Leo, Ellis and Prue. The cortege arrived at the Thornton Garden of Rest with horse-drawn carriages, having set off from Bradford Road via Marsh Avenue and made its way past the family home where the blaze broke out.
Family statement of thanks and remembrance
In a statement, the family said: "Today our families come together for the funeral of Elisha, Leo, Ellis and Prudence Brabin. After many difficult weeks, it means a great deal to be together to remember them and say the hardest goodbye."
They added: "We would like to thank everyone who has shown such kindness over the recent weeks. The messages of support and the knowledge that so many people have kept us in their thoughts have brought us all real comfort. We are also deeply grateful to the emergency services for their efforts, and to those individuals who have continued to support us throughout this time."
The family concluded: "We now have to begin rebuilding our lives. We'll do that slowly, looking after one another along the way. Elisha, Leo, Ellis and Prudence will be missed every day and our love for them will continue."
