Four siblings killed in fire after birthday celebration for mother

Reece Smith, 19, four-year-old twins Holly and Ella Smith and Jordan Smith, two, died after a blaze that broke out in their converted bungalow in Lytham Road, Freckleton, Lancashire at 11.30pm on Saturday.

The four victims were taken to Preston Royal Infirmary but were all later pronounced dead.

Their mother Michelle Smith, 36, who has five other children, was led out of the house by firefighters and was not thought to be injured.

Yesterday her father, Keith Smith, 56, said his daughter, who had been celebrating her birthday on Saturday, was staying with relatives in the area.

Mr Smith, who found out about the blaze on the news, said: “It’s very shocking. These are such tragic circumstances.

“I don’t know anything about what happened last night. They have lived here for about two-and-a-half years – this was their grandmother’s former home.

“I haven’t had chance to speak to Michelle yet. It is just terrible.

“I last saw them all just after Christmas. I can’t think of any reason why this has happened.”

He would not comment on whether a party was held at the address on Saturday.

Phil Cox, group manager for Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service, said the service was called to the scene at about 11.20pm.

He said that members of the public rang to say that people – including small children – were trapped in the building as three fire engines were en route.

“As soon as the crews arrived it seemed quite a chaotic scene with a lot of people outside quite distressed,” he said.

Six firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rescued the four casualties while another person who did not medical attention was led out, said Mr Cox. As soon as they were brought out it was a multi-agency approach to commence resuscitation,” he said.

“We would like to pass on our condolences to the family of the victims. It is a tragic situation that we have ended up here.

“Subsequently there is now a full police and fire investigation to ascertain the cause of the incident and try to piece together what happened.”

It is thought that some of the casualties were taken from a small room in the upstairs at the rear of the converted bungalow.

At the front of the property there was no apparent fire damage and the scene was cordoned off while forensic officers begin their investigations.

A number floral tributes had been left outside. One read: “Michelle I’m sorry for your loss, with deepest sympathy. Love Becky Bashford and family xxx.”

A neighbour who did not wish to be named said Michelle Smith had been living at the address since last summer.

The property, owned by Ms Smith’s late grandmother, had been vacant for some time while a loft extension was built, the neighbour added.

Family friend Carolyn Milburn said Reece was the eldest child and Jordan the youngest of Michelle Smith. She said: “It’s knocked us all for six. They were all lovely, all of them. Lovely kids, well behaved, well brought-up, always happy.

“Michelle is a good mum. She loves her kids. I haven’t spoken to her yet but her and her mother Christine are both in a state.”

Ms Milburn said she was godmother to one of Mrs Smith’s other children and that she had sent a message to the godmother of Holly and Ella on Facebook.

“She is in bits over this. They were all smashing kids.”

Another floral tribute left outside the house read: “To the family and loved ones of Reece, Holly, Ella and Jordan, we are sorry to hear about the heartbreaking and tragic loss of four young lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. Love from a Freckleton family xxx.”

It is understood that those who escaped the incident were downstairs when the fire broke out in the bungalow.

Open mind over cause of tragedy

LAST night an investigation was taking place to try to identify the cause of the blaze, with the Lancashire Constabulary stating they were “keeping an open mind”.

The property was cordoned off yesterday to allow forensic experts to work at the scene and Lancashire Constabulary CID spokeswoman Andy Murphy said: “We are trying to establish the cause of this fire.”

He would not confirm the identities of the people who died but said other people were in the house at the time of the incident.

“We need to determine how many people were there and determine what happened,” he said.