The family of four children killed in a house fire have said they are ‘dreading the day’ they have to give their mother the ‘awful news’.
Fifteen-year-old Demi Pearson, her brother Brandon, eight, and sisters Lacie, seven, and Lia, three, died following the blaze at the family’s mid-terraced home in Jackson Street, Walkden, Greater Manchester, shortly after 5am on Monday.
Their mother Michelle Pearson remains in a critical condition and has not been told of her children’s deaths.
In a statement, the children’s grandfather Mike, aunt Claire and uncle Chris said: ‘Michelle is in a critical condition. We are dreading the day we have to tell them the awful news about her babies.
‘We hope and pray that she has the strength to pull through.’
Brandon and Lacie were among the four children who died in the blaze earlier this week
Three-year-old Lia Pearson and her older sister Demi, 15, were also victims of the blaze
The family released heartbreaking new pictures of the children including Lacie Pearson (pictured) as they paid tribute to each child this afternoon
In a joint statement, the children’s grandfather Mike Pearson, aunt Claire Pearson and their uncle Chris Pearson have paid tribute to them.
They said: ‘This week has been a whirlwind. We have been in our own bubble and our focus has been solely on our family on our Michelle as she lies in her hospital bed.
‘We are heartbroken at the death of our four babies.’
The family then paid tribute to each of the four children who died in the blaze.
They said: ‘Demi, such a beautiful young lady with so many friends. She would do anything for anyone, nothing was too much trouble.
‘She had been poorly through her life, but she was tough and so strong, nothing could stop her. She was like another mum to the younger ones, such a star.’
Brandon and Lacie (pictured together, left) was described as ‘like twins’. The youngest Lia (right) was said to love Peppa Pig
The three children were asleep in their home near Manchester when the arson attack unfolded
Paying tribute to eight-year-old Brandon, the family said: ‘Brandon was going to be the next Stephen Hawking.
‘He was so clever and you would feel like you were talking to an old man when you spoke to him. He would use words that we didn’t even know!
‘He took after his granddad, he never wanted to throw anything away and he would wear the same old t-shirt even after he’d grown out of it.
‘He had a pumpkin onesie that he adored, he wore it so much that his mum had to throw it away whilst he was at school and buy him a new one – it was so tatty.
Three-year-old Lia Pearson (left) died 48 hours after the blaze. Her older sister Lacie (right), seven, was killed in the blaze when petrol bombs were thrown into the family home
Brandon Pearson, eight, and Demi Pearson, 15, also died in the horrific blaze this week
The statement continued: ‘Brandon and Lacie were like twins, they were close in age, but had an even closer bond. They were always together. You couldn’t just do something with one of them, they came as a pair.
‘Lacie was a little diva, she loved to dance. There was always music on in the house and Lacie would always be dancing to it.
‘Her teachers said she would ask to go to the toilet then dance out of the classroom and down the corridor.
‘Little Lia loved Peppa Pig. She called everyone pig, so Mummy Pig, Demi Pig, Brandon Pig and Lacie Pig.
‘She even called herself Lia pig. She was so cute and the older ones doted on her.
‘Demi had a beautiful relationship with Lia. They would spend so much time together, Demi would sit in Lia’s bed watching Peppa Pig with her.
The children’s mother, Michelle Pearson, is still in a serious condition in hospital and is unaware four of her children have died
The terraced house was ravaged by fire after petrol bombs were thrown on Monday morning
‘Their mum Michelle is in a critical condition. We are dreading the day we have to tell them the awful news about her babies.
‘We hope and pray that she has the strength to pull through.
‘We are asking people to keep Michelle in their thoughts, she has lost her babies and it is heart breaking but she has a loving family who will try their best to get her through this and two older sons who adore her.
‘The community have been incredible, the response and love we’ve had has been overwhelming. We have not even begun to look through all the messages and cards we’ve received, but we will one day.’
Police are examining claims petrol bombs were thrown down the chimney of the house
The statement concluded: ‘We want to thank you so much for all of the flowers, the toys, the fundraising, it all means so much.
‘The people of Salford have been amazing, but people from all over have sent us messages.
‘Right now, all we can do is hold each other together as a family. This will not break us.’
- Zak Bolland, 23, Courtney Brierley, 20, and David Worrall, 25, appeared at Manchester Crown Court on Friday morning charged with the murder of the four children. The defendants are also accused of arson with intent to endanger life and the attempted murder of the children’s mother, Michelle Pearson, 35, and two juveniles who cannot be named for legal reasons. The three were remanded in custody ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing on March 9 and a provisional trial date was fixed for April 30.
The three spoke only to confirm their names and addresses today. No pleas were entered
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