Tributes pour in for woman and three children killed in Bootle house fire

Tributes pour in for woman and three children killed in Bootle house fire Tributes have poured in for a woman and three children believed to have died in a house fire in Bootle, Merseyside. Tributes have poured in for a woman and three children believed to have died in a devastating house fire in Bootle, Merseyside. Emergency services were called to the semi-detached house at around 3.40am on September 22. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said firefighters arrived within seven minutes to find the property "well alight". The Liverpool ECHO understands the four victims were a woman and three children. Their next of kin have been informed, but formal identification has yet to take place. Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle described the blaze as an "intense fire which spread very rapidly". A fifth person was taken to hospital suffering from burns. Tearful neighbours told how a man smashed the property's windows as he desperately tried to save those inside, but was beaten back by the flames. Another neighbour said he tried to use his ladder to reach the property but was "just too late" as the fire was already out of control. One neighbour said she was haunted by hearing a woman screaming at around 3.30am. "I heard a commotion and went outside. I heard screaming, the lady was shouting," she said. Neighbours have gathered near the scene to pay their respects, with dozens of tributes left in memory of the victims. The main fire has been extinguished, and Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service are carrying out a joint investigation to establish its cause. Key Events Coverage ends Our live coverage of this incident has now ended. Thank you for following. Victims were a woman and three children A woman and three children are believed to be the tragic victims of the devastating fire. Those killed in the fire are a woman and three children, the Liverpool Echo reports. Their next of kin have been informed but formal identification has yet to take place. The fire service and Merseyside Police are carrying out a joint investigation to establish the cause of the fire. A woman at the scene said she woke to the sounds of screaming. She added: "I heard a commotion and went outside. I heard screaming, the lady was shouting." Another neighbour said he was woken by his daughter before running to the scene with his step ladder in a bid to help. And another neighbour said the male casualty of the fire, who was taken to hospital, desperately broke windows in attempts to rescue the occupants. He was beaten back by the flames and suffered serious burns. Four people found in upstairs bedroom Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service confirmed this afternoon that the four people found dead inside the house were discovered in the upstairs bedroom. The fire service said: "During the course of their search, firefighters discovered four casualties in an upstairs bedroom, showing no signs of life. Two members of North West Ambulance’s hazardous area response team (HART) were subsequently committed into the incident and tragically confirmed that all four had lost their lives." Watch fire chief describe battle with ‘intense fire’ Chief fire officer Nick Searle has described the tragic moment firefighters found the bodies of four people in the property after battling intense flames. Video: Police remain at scene of fatal house fire 'This is a devastating incident,' says fire service Kevin Longshaw, area manager at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said: "This is a devastating incident, and our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of those who have lost their lives and been injured. "We will work closely with relevant colleagues to ascertain the cause of the fire, but in the immediate term, we again extend our sincere condolences to those affected by this tragic incident." Man smashed windows of house in desperate attempt to save people The Mirror's Phil Cardy is at the scene. Tearful neighbours have told how a man smashed the property's windows as he desperately tried to rescue the occupants. He was beaten back by the flames and suffered serious burns as he tried to get inside. One neighbour said she was haunted by hearing a woman screaming at around 3.30am. She said: "I heard a commotion and went outside. I heard screaming, the lady was shouting." Another neighbour said he tried to use his ladder to reach the property but was "just too late" as the fire had already taken hold. Full statement from fire chief as four confirmed dead Nick Searle, chief fire officer at Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service, said in a statement this afternoon: "Firstly, our thoughts are with everyone who's been affected by the tragic incident this morning. "After a 999 call to Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service fire control room at 3.30am this morning, crews from surrounding stations were informed and mobilised to the scene, with the first fire engine arriving at 3.45am. "The initial fire crews arrived to find the semi-detached house well alight. Crews were wearing breathing apparatus, entered the building to search the property for occupants, and fighting intense fire, which has spread very rapidly. "Six fire engines were in attendance at the height of the incident. On arrival of the fire crews, a casualty was already outside of the property and was taken into the care of North West Ambulance Service and subsequently transferred to hospital. "During the course of the search of the property, firefighters discovered four casualties, showing no signs of life, and it's now being confirmed that all four have tragically lost their lives. "There will now be a full joint investigation with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police into the cause of the fire. Our thoughts remain with the loved ones of those lost and fire crews will maintain a visible and reassuring presence in the community over the coming days. Thank you." Four people killed in Bootle house fire Four people tragically died in a house fire in Bootle early this morning, Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has now confirmed. What we don't yet know - The condition of the occupants of the house and their identities, including their ages and genders - The cause of the fire - The extent of the damage to the property - Whether Merseyside Police is also investigating the fire - Whether any neighbouring properties have been affected by the fire Emergency services remain at scene Several police cars and a fire investigation van remain on Stone Square. One fire engine remains at the scene and another has just arrived. Several additional police cars are parked along nearby Marsh Avenue. What we know so far after 'serious' house fire - Fire crews were alerted to the fire on Stone Square, Bootle, at 3.38am and arrived on scene at 3.45am today - Firefighters arrived to find a semi-detached house "well alight" - Six fire engines were on the scene at the height of the fire - Eight firefighters went into the house to search for occupants and put the fire out - One person from the scene was taken into the care of paramedics for treatment for burns as a search of the property and firefighting continued - Two members of the North West Ambulance Service Hazardous Area Response Team also went into the property with firefighters - The main part of the fire has been extinguished, with firefighters still on scene to dampen down the area - Merseyside Police officers are also at the scene - A cordon remains in place Neighbours heard 'screams' as fire ripped through property Neighbours on Marsh Avenue, whose homes back onto Stone Square, said they heard screams in the early hours as a fire ripped through a semi-detached house on Stone Square. Later in the morning, a woman was seen crying on Marsh Avenue as emergency services continued to work at the scene. A cordon remains in place on Stone Square. The map below shows Stone Square and nearby Marsh Avenue and King Avenue. Forensic officers pictured working at scene Photographs show a police van marked "Specific Support Unit" at the scene. This vehicle is a specialist mobile workspace used to collect, process and preserve forensic evidence. Fire service leading investigation It is understood that Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is leading the investigation into the cause of the blaze. Firefighters found a semi-detached house on Stone Square "well alight" when they arrived at around 3.45am today, the fire service said. The fire service's latest statement did not confirm how many people were inside the house or their condition. It said one person was taken into the care of paramedics while firefighters searched the property. Fire service expected to provide update soon We are awaiting an update from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service on the condition of the occupants of the house. Forensic officers examine house as cordon remains in place The Mirror's Phil Cardy is at the scene. A large police and fire brigade presence remains at Stone Square in Bootle this morning. The road remains taped off as forensic officers check the property. Police are speaking to neighbours. Pictures from the scene Detectives carrying out door-to-door enquiries Detectives are carrying out door-to-door enquiries on Marsh Avenue, just off Stone Square. A police car is also parked on nearby King Avenue. Video: Emergency services at scene of house fire in Bootle Map shows location of street A map shows Stone Square in Bootle, where a blaze broke out at a semi-detached house at around 3.40am today. Police forensics vans and fire investigation van on street A reporter for the Liverpool Echo says two fire engines, a fire investigation van and two police forensic vans are currently on Stone Square. Three police cars and a police van are also parked on nearby Marsh Avenue. Fire crews battled 'serious house fire' in Bootle Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said crews were called to a "serious house fire" at Stone Square in Bootle at 3.38am today. Fireighters arrived at 3.45am to find a semi-detached house "well alight". Six fire engines were at the scene at the height of the fire. Eight firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property to search for occupants and tackle the blaze using hose reel jets. The main fire has been extinguished and crews are now damping down the area. Two fire engines remain at the scene. Merseyside Police is also at the scene and an investigation is under way.