Update on fatal fire in Great Lever
07 August 2008
On 23rd June 2008 a family were involved in a house fire in Great Lever in Bolton. An elderly woman died and six weeks later on 2nd August her five year old granddaughter also died in hospital. A 24 year old woman and a firefighter remain seriously injured in hospital. An appeal has been launched by the families of those involved to find witnesses of the blaze which is being treated as suspicious.
On 24th June 2008 firefighters from Bolton and Farnworth fire stations attended a house fire on Little Holme Walk, Great Lever in Bolton.
Four firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and located three people inside, rescuing two. As the third person was being rescued, the fire inside the property developed rapidly, engulfing the last person and the firefighter who was attempting to rescue her.
As a result of the fire a man and woman in their 70s, a 24 year old woman and a five year old girl were taken to hospital for treatment. Unfortunately the elderly woman died and six weeks later on 2nd August the five year old girl also died. The 24 year old woman remains in hospital.
Three firefighters were also taken to hospital and treated for a variety of injuries caused during the rescue of the occupants. One of the firefighters, 38 year old Steve Morris remains in Wythenshawe Hospital after receiving 50% burns to his lower back and legs and serious burns to his hands. His treatment is ongoing and his condition is described as improving slowly.
Appeal for witnesses
On Wednesday 16th July 2008, the family of the members of public so tragically affected by the Little Holme Walk fire on 23rd June, made a media appeal for witnesses to come forward.
The appeal followed the arrest of a 22 year old man and a 12 year old boy, who were questioned and then released on bail until 24th September 2008, pending further enquiries.
Gary Dewar, the brother-in-law of injured firefighter Steve Morris has also appealed to public on behalf of his family.
“He (Steve Morris) has had skin grafts to the back of his legs and arms. He is being fed on a tube and is still on a ventilator. The person who lit that fire must come forward! It is the only decent thing for them to do.”
He also added:
“Steve’s family wish to send their heartfelt thanks to all his friends and colleagues within Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service who have sent messages of support and assistance to them at this time.”
“In making this appeal Steve’s family want to try to assist the ongoing Police investigation in the hope of bringing the person or people who started this fire to account.”
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Call Crimestoppers now anonymously on 0800 555 111.