Salford House fire: Third person charged with murdering four children as mother remains in coma unaware of deaths

Michelle Pearson has not regained consciousness since blaze which police believe was started deliberately

Forensic officers at the scene of the house fire Walkden, Salford (PA)

A third person has been charged with murder after a house fire that killed four children, as their mother remains in a coma in hospital.

David Worrall has been charged with four counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

The 25-year-old, of Worsley Avenue, remains in custody and will appear before magistrates later on Thursday.

The children’s mother Michelle Pearson, 35, has not regained consciousness since the blaze in Walkden, Salford, and is unaware her children are dead.

Lacie, seven, Brandon, eight, and 15-year-old Demi died in the fire on Monday and their three-year-old sister Lia died in hospital on Wednesday.

Two 16-year-old boys were able to escape the burning home before fire crews arrived shortly after 5am.

Zac Bolland, 23, of Blackleach Drive, and Courtney Brierley, 20, of Worsley Avenue, have also been charged with murder are due to appear at Manchester Crown Court.

They appeared before magistrates charged with murder, four counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life hours before Lia’s death.

Her grandmother, Sandra Lever, said she had “passed away peacefully” after life support was withdrawn.

A GoFundMe page has been started by the children’s uncle to pay for funeral costs, raising almost £1,000 by Thursday morning.

Matt Pearson, Ms Pearson’s brother, wrote: “I want to give these kids the best funeral they deserve … they will all be buried together side by side.”

Greater Manchester Police previously confirmed there had been “earlier incidents” at the Pearson family home and said the force had referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

It is understood the voluntary referral was in response to police contact with the family less than 24 hours before the fatal incident.