Salford house fire: Three-year-old girl becomes fourth victim of 'targeted' Manchester attack after dying in hospital

Child believed to be three-year-old Lia Pearson, younger sibling to three others killed in blaze

Forensic officers at the scene of a house fire on Jackson Street in Worsley, Greater Manchester, as a murder inquiry has been launched after three children died following the fire (PA)

A three-year-old girl who was fighting for her life has died following a "targeted" Salford house fire that had already killed three children, police said.

The child is believed to be three-year-old Lia Pearson, though she has yet to be formally identified.

Two people had already been charged with murder following the deaths of Lia's older sister Demi Pearson, 15, who was killed in the blaze on Jackson Street, Worsley, and her siblings Brandon, eight, and Lacie, seven, who died later in hospital.

Their mother Michelle, 35, is "fighting for her life" in hospital, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said in a statement.

Zac Bolland, 23, of Blackleach Drive, Worsley has been charged with three counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

Courtney Brierley, 20, of Worsley Avenue, Worsley, has been charged with the same offences.

Ch Supt Wayne Miller, of Greater Manchester Police, speaks at a press conference on Tuesday afternoon (BBC)

Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller told reporters on Tuesday the family had been left “completely devastated”.

He added: “We now have a much deeper understanding of the devastating events which led to the tragic deaths of three children in Walkden in the early hours of yesterday morning, and have made significant progress in this investigation. We have collected CCTV from the area and now believe this to be a targeted attack on this house."

The Pearsons had been living under threat. Security measures were put in place at their mid-terrace home, including the fitting of a device to the property’s letterbox.

The arrangements, known as target hardening, are generally used to strengthen a building to protect it in the event of an attack.

GMP confirmed there had been “earlier incidents” at the address.

Additional reporting by PA.