A woman and three children are believed to be the victims who died in an upstairs bedroom after a fire ripped through a home in Bootle, Merseyside, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Another casualty suffering from burns was rushed to hospital after being found outside the property.
Emergency response
Emergency services, including six fire engines, raced to the semi-detached property at around 3.45am. Crews arrived to find the property “well-alight” before entering wearing breathing apparatus to search for those inside. The fire service said four victims were found in an upstairs bedroom showing “no signs of life”.
Tearful neighbours told how a man smashed the property’s windows as he desperately tried to rescue the occupants but was beaten back by the flames, suffering serious burns. One neighbour said she was haunted after hearing a woman screaming at around 3.30am. She said: “I heard a commotion and went outside. I heard screaming, the lady was shouting.” Another neighbour said he tried to use his ladder to reach the property but was “just too late” as the fire had already taken hold.
Official statements
Speaking at the scene, Merseyside chief fire officer Nick Searle said: “Firstly, our thoughts are with everyone who’s been affected by the tragic incident this morning.” He said the brigade received a call at 3.38am and crews from surrounding stations were mobilised, with the first engine arriving at 3.45am.
“The initial fire crews arrived to find the semi detached house well alight. Crews were wearing breathing apparatus, entered the building to search the property for occupants, and fighting intense fire, which has spread very rapidly. Six fire engines were in attendance at the height of the incident. On arrival of the fire crews, a casualty was already outside of the property, and was taken into the care of North West Ambulance Service, and subsequently transferred to hospital.”
He added: “During the course of the search of the property, firefighters discovered four casualties, showing no signs of life, and it's now being confirmed that all four have tragically lost their lives. There will now be a full joint investigation with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police into the cause of the fire. Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of those lost, and fire crews will maintain a visible and reassuring presence in the community over the coming days.”
Investigation underway
Two members of North West Ambulance’s Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) were committed to the incident and tragically confirmed that all four had lost their lives. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager Kevin Longshaw said: “This is a devastating incident, and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives and been injured. We will work closely with relevant colleagues to ascertain the cause of the fire, but in the immediate term, we again extend our sincere condolences to those affected by this tragic incident.”
