Murder investigation launched after 3 die in house fire
3 people have died after a fire tore through their home in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute.
Eight-year-old Bridget Sharkey died after being taken to hospital and her brother Thomas, 21 was found dead at the scene. The children’s father, Tommy Sharkey died in hospital several days later and the mother is still unconscious in hospital.
Police have launched a murder investigation involving 50 officers as it is thought the fire was started deliberately. Strathclyde Police Area Commander, Chief Inspector Fergus Byrne, said: “Extensive inquiries have been ongoing all day at the scene, including a full crime scene forensic investigation by forensic scientists, fire service and Strathclyde Police. This investigation is continuing, however, we believe that this fire was started intentionally and the deaths are now being treated as murder.’
Earlier this week Valerie McFadyen, Mr Sharkey’s sister, read a statement on behalf of the family. Ms McFadyen said: ‘The entire family have been left shattered, devastated and now angry by the deaths of our darling Bridget and Thomas. Golf was Thomas’s life and all his family and friends aspired to be as good as he was. His smile lit up every room and he always found the best in everyone he met. We always thought he would be famous for his golf and not for the tragic way he died.’
Ann Chalmers who is the headteacher at St Joseph’s primary school in Helensburgh, where both children were pupils said: ‘We are absolutely devastated and saddened to hear Bridget and Thomas have died. Bridget was ready to start primary five in August. Bridget was a beautiful child, very talented, an excellent all-rounder and enthusiastic pupil who was a lovely singer, dancer and artist. Bridget was a very happy and popular girl. She will be sorely missed by all at St Joseph’s primary. Thomas also attended St Joseph’s for primary schooling. He was a great pupil, was very hardworking and conscientious. It is so tragic to lose two fine young people who had everything to live for. Our thoughts and prayers are very much with them and their families and friends.’
Police are appealing to the public to come forward if they have any information that might help catch the people responsible. The email address for the investigation is operationendeavour@strathclyde.pnn.police.uk.
People can also now call 01389 822 059 or 01389 822 162 to get through to the investigation
300 homes evacuated near Warrington garage fire
A blaze at a garage in Warrington town centre caused severe disruption to the Manchester to Liverpool train line.
The fire started at around 5pm on 28th July. About 300 local residents were evacuated from their homes while firefighters extinguished the blaze. Diversions were in place as roads were closed for safety reasons.
A 200m cordon was set up amid reports there were acetylene cylinders stored inside.
A spokesperson for Cheshire Police said: “The protective cordon has been considerably reduced and most of the residents living in the area are being allowed to return to their homes. A small number of homes closest to the garage that caught fire are still out of bounds for the time being. Residents who need to find out if they can return should visit the Fairfield Neighbourhood Project centre which has details of which houses continue to be within the much smaller cordon.”
It is not yet known what caused the fire.
Firework factory blaze report launched
A report into a fireworks factory fire and explosion that killed two firefighters has made 66 recommendations in an attempt to prevent it happening again.
Geoff Wicker and Brian Wembridge both died in the fire at Marlie Farm in Sussex, in 2006.
Deputy chief fire officer Gary Walsh said: “Ultimately, by sharing the report’s findings, it is our objective to try to prevent a similar event ever re-occurring “As always, the thoughts of everyone at ESFRS are with the families of Geoff and Brian. ESFRS will continue to do all it can to offer ongoing support to the families, as it would for any of our firefighters affected by traumatic events such as those at Marlie Farm.”
Judge Mr Justice Cooke told the pair: “You wanted them to fight the fire when you knew that the risk of mass explosion meant that everyone should have evacuated the site and moved to a considerable distance away.”
The court heard that Martin Winter was “grossly negligent” as he was aware of the unlicensed storage of fireworks that could explode in the event of a fire breaking out.
In 2009, the factory operators were convicted and jailed for the manslaughter of the two firefighters. Martin Winter owner of Festival Fireworks UK Ltd, since renamed Alpha Fireworks Ltd, was jailed for seven years and his son Nathan was jailed for five years. An appeal against their convictions was unsuccessful.
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