Woman and three children die in Bootle home fireplace as ‘dad smashed home windows to attempt to save them’
A woman and three children have died in a fatal house fire in Bootle, Merseyside, in the early hours of Tuesday morning. A fifth person was taken to hospital suffering from burns
Forensics at the scene of the house fire on Stone Square in Bootle today(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A woman and three children have tragically lost their lives in a house fire in Merseyside, police have confirmed.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service reported that teams were called to the blaze at a semi-detached property on Stone Square in Bootle, Sefton, around 3.45am on Tuesday.
Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle, speaking at the scene, confirmed four fatalities and said another person had been taken to hospital following the “intense fire which spread very rapidly”. A representative for the fire service later verified the victims as a woman and three children, adding that their next of kin had been notified.
The fifth casualty was found outside the property when crews arrived and was transported to hospital suffering from burns(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Tearful neighbours speaking to the Liverpool Echo told how the children’s dad reportedly smashed the property’s windows as he desperately tried to save his family. He was reportedly beaten back by the flames as he tried to get inside.
Firefighters discovered four casualties with no signs of life in the upstairs bedroom of the residence, according to the fire service. A spokesperson stated: “Two members of North West Ambulance’s Hazardous Area Response Team were subsequently committed into the incident and tragically confirmed that all four had lost their lives.”
The fifth casualty was found outside the property when crews arrived and was transported to hospital suffering from burns.
The fire service is now conducting a joint investigation with Merseyside Police(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Area Manager Kevin Longshaw from the fire service 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.”
The fire service is now conducting a joint investigation with Merseyside Police to determine the cause of the blaze.
Six fire engines were deployed at the peak of the blaze(Image: Liverpool Echo)
On Tuesday morning, the road was sealed off by police while fire crews were spotted going door-to-door at nearby properties. Fire appliances were witnessed arriving at and departing from the scene.
One resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “We all came out on the front and we could see smoke coming over from the houses. The sirens woke me up and there were fire engines in the street.”
Another woman said: “I heard shouting in the early hours but I just thought someone was having an argument, then I came downstairs and saw all the fire engines.”
Six fire engines were deployed at the peak of the blaze, with eight firefighters entering the property, which was fully ablaze upon their arrival, to search for residents and combat the flames, according to a fire service spokesman.
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