Elisha Brabin, 36, and her three children, Leo, 16, Ellis, eight, and Prudence, seven, were laid to rest today after a funeral cortege travelled through Bootle, where hundreds gathered to pay their respects.
The four died in a fire at their home on Stone Square in Bootle on September 22, which broke out at around 3.45am. Emergency services found the semi-detached house "well alight" and the bodies of four people in an upstairs bedroom. Investigators later revealed the blaze was caused by a lithium-ion battery from an electric scooter.
Tributes from grandparents
As the cortege arrived at Thornton Garden of Rest, the children's grandparents, Bob and Zaz Stephenson, read a statement to mourners. They 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.
"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. 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."
Procession and mourners
The cortege set off from Bradford Road via Marsh Avenue, passing the family home where the blaze broke out. Four horse-drawn carriages arrived at the crematorium, with a cloak of silence remaining outside. Mourners gathered in their dozens close to an hour before the coffins arrived to pay their respects.
Family members were joined by friends and members of the community. Representatives of the fire service, along with representatives from each of the three schools attended by Leo, Ellis and Prudence, also paid their respects.
Inquest and family tribute
An inquest opening at Bootle Town Hall heard coroner Anita Bhardwaj tell the short hearing that the deaths were "unnatural" before adjourning the proceedings until April 22, 2027.
A family tribute shared following the deaths said: "Our whole family is devastated by the loss of Elisha, Leo, Ellis and Prudence. Elisha was our beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunty, niece and cousin. She was a devoted and loving mother who lived for her children. They were her whole world, and she meant everything to us.
"Our beautiful babies, Leo, Ellis and Prudence, were loved beyond measure and brought so much joy, happiness and love to our family. They filled our lives with laughter and precious memories that we will cherish forever.
"The tragic loss of Elisha and our three precious children has left us heartbroken. They have all been taken from us far too soon. The loss we are experiencing is unimaginable, and the impact on our family will be felt forever.
"As we try to come to terms with this devastating tragedy, we kindly ask that our family's privacy is respected whilst we grieve and support one another through this incredibly difficult time. We would like to thank everyone for their kindness, support and understanding."
