The mother and her three children who died in a house fire in Bootle have been pictured for the first time.
Elisha Brabin and three of her four children are understood to have been found dead in a bedroom at their home in Stone Square during the early hours of Tuesday.
Six fire engines and eight firefighters rushed to the scene at around 3.45am with the house already ‘well alight’. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service said when crew members arrived the blaze was spreading rapidly.
Two firefighters wearing breathing apparatus rushed inside, where they found Elisha Brabin, 36, Leo Brabin, 16, Ellis Brabin, 8, and Prudence Brabin, 7, ‘showing no signs of life’ in an upstairs bedroom. Police later confirmed they had died.
A heroic man who was said to have smashed the home’s windows in a desperate bid to save those trapped inside has been named locally as Kane Stephenson, the children’s father, who has also been pictured.
He was found outside the property suffering with serious burns and immediately taken into the care of the North West Ambulance Service. Another of the couple’s four children is understood to have been staying elsewhere on the night of the fire.
Flowers, teddy bears, photographs and cards were pictured at the scene today as locals began paying tribute.
Candles had been placed on the pavement, along with pink and blue star-shaped balloons. Soft toys, including Minecraft and Star Wars characters, were also laid.
Lisha Brabin and three of her four children are understood to have been found dead in a bedroom at their home. Pictured: Lisha and her daughter Prue
Lisha Brabin and her partner Kane, from Bootle, are pictured. Lisha died in a devastating house fire during the early hours of Tuesday, while Kane suffered serious burns
Ellis Brabin, 8. Flowers, teddy bears, photographs and cards were pictured at the scene today as locals began paying tribute
One card read: ‘God bless you all. Heartbroken to hear about the devastating fire.’
Another said: ‘Sleep tight. Forever in our hearts.’
A tribute from the family released today read: ‘Our whole family is devastated by the loss of Elisha, Leo, Ellis and Prudence.
‘Elisha was our beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, aunty, niece and cousin. She was a devoted and loving mother who lived for her children. They were her whole world, and she meant everything to us.
‘Our beautiful babies, Leo, Ellis and Prudence, were loved beyond measure and brought so much joy, happiness and love to our family. They filled our lives with laughter and precious memories that we will cherish forever.
‘The tragic loss of Elisha and our three precious children has left us heartbroken. They have all been taken from us far too soon. The loss we are experiencing is unimaginable, and the impact on our family will be felt forever.
‘As we try to come to terms with this devastating tragedy, we kindly ask that our family’s privacy is respected whilst we grieve and support one another through this incredibly difficult time. We would like to thank everyone for their kindness, support and understanding.’
A GoFundMe started by those who knew Lisha has already raised more than £5,000.
Neighbours on Marsh Avenue and King Avenue gathered on the street to show their support, with one bursting into tears as she recalled what happened.
The woman said: ‘I heard a commotion and went outside. I heard screaming, the lady was shouting.’
One of those who left tributes at the scene was ex-nursery school teacher Kerry Collins, who had once looked after two of the children.
‘They were lovely kids,’ she said. ‘They were really playful and the headteacher really adored them. She’ll be devastated.’
Another neighbour said he was woken by his daughter before running to the scene with his step ladder to help.
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police confirmed Tuesday that they are carrying out a joint investigation to understand how the fire started.
A family tribute today said: ‘Our beautiful babies, Leo (above), Ellis and Prudence, were loved beyond measure and brought so much joy, happiness and love to our family’
Prudence dressed up as a pirate
Firefighters rushed to the scene at around 3.45am with the home already ‘well alight’
A police cordon remained in place hours after the fire as forensic teams and detectives began their probe.
The fire service said crews would maintain a visible presence in the community in the coming days following the tragedy.
Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson expressed condolences on behalf of the local authority.
She said: ‘This is a truly devastating incident that I know will have shocked and saddened people across our communities.
‘Our thoughts are with the family, their friends, neighbours and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. No words can ease the pain of such an unimaginable loss.’
Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle said firefighters had been confronted with a rapidly developing fire when they arrived at the scene.
Speaking from the scene, he added: ‘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.
‘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.
Forensic investigators are pictured outside the home on Tuesday afternoon
Firefighters were seen damping down the area in the hours after the blaze
‘During the course of the search of the property, firefighters discovered four casualties, showing no signs of life, and it’s now been 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.’
MFRS Area Manager Kevin Longshaw said the tragedy had left firefighters and emergency service colleagues ‘devastated’.
He 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.’
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