Tragic House Fire Claims Life of 13-Year-Old Girl in Merseyside
Investigation launched following Prescot blaze that left one girl dead and seven others unharmed.
A 13-year-old girl has died in a house fire that occurred late Wednesday evening in Prescot, near Liverpool.
The incident took place in a mid-terraced house located on Kingsway, where the fire was discovered in the first-floor rear bedroom.
Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, with firefighters arriving shortly after 11:42 PM. Three fire engines were deployed to combat the blaze, which was extinguished by around 12:30 AM on Thursday.
While a man, a woman, and five children managed to escape the fire unharmed, the teenage girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local residents reported hearing screams and seeing flames emanating from the house.
One witness mentioned the distressing sight of flames and expressed shock at the tragedy, particularly given the family's recent return to the house after renovations.
Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill of Merseyside Police expressed condolences to the girl's family, highlighting the ongoing investigation alongside the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service into the cause of the fire.
Authorities are ascertaining the circumstances surrounding this tragic event and providing support to the affected family's needs.
In a separate incident, a 38-year-old man, identified as David Joyce, was shot dead by police at Milton Keynes train station on Tuesday afternoon.
Armed officers responded to reports of a man carrying a knife, which he wielded while approaching the officers.
Eyewitnesses described the dramatic moments leading up to the incident, where police were summoned shortly before 1 PM.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that a single shot was fired by one officer, resulting in Mr. Joyce's death from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
The investigation is currently ongoing, with the IOPC collecting evidence and statements from witnesses.
In Northern Ireland, police are urging potential victims to come forward in relation to serial rapist Zhenhao Zou.
London’s Metropolitan Police Service has issued renewed appeals following reports from 23 women since March 2025. Zou, found guilty of multiple rapes across the UK and China, is believed to have been a prolific offender, and authorities are concerned that there may be additional unreported cases.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephanie Finlay of the PSNI is leading the outreach, emphasizing the importance of anonymity and support for any potential victims who may have encountered Zou in various settings.
Lastly, the Metropolitan Police continue to investigate the murder of 16-year-old Hani Hicham Abou El Kheir, who was killed in January 2013. Despite multiple convictions related to the case, one suspect, Dilawar Hussain, remains at large.
Police are appealing for information on Hussain's whereabouts, as his evasion of justice presents ongoing concern to Hani's family and the community.
The incident took place in a mid-terraced house located on Kingsway, where the fire was discovered in the first-floor rear bedroom.
Emergency services responded promptly to the scene, with firefighters arriving shortly after 11:42 PM. Three fire engines were deployed to combat the blaze, which was extinguished by around 12:30 AM on Thursday.
While a man, a woman, and five children managed to escape the fire unharmed, the teenage girl was pronounced dead at the scene.
Local residents reported hearing screams and seeing flames emanating from the house.
One witness mentioned the distressing sight of flames and expressed shock at the tragedy, particularly given the family's recent return to the house after renovations.
Detective Inspector Steven O’Neill of Merseyside Police expressed condolences to the girl's family, highlighting the ongoing investigation alongside the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service into the cause of the fire.
Authorities are ascertaining the circumstances surrounding this tragic event and providing support to the affected family's needs.
In a separate incident, a 38-year-old man, identified as David Joyce, was shot dead by police at Milton Keynes train station on Tuesday afternoon.
Armed officers responded to reports of a man carrying a knife, which he wielded while approaching the officers.
Eyewitnesses described the dramatic moments leading up to the incident, where police were summoned shortly before 1 PM.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) confirmed that a single shot was fired by one officer, resulting in Mr. Joyce's death from a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
The investigation is currently ongoing, with the IOPC collecting evidence and statements from witnesses.
In Northern Ireland, police are urging potential victims to come forward in relation to serial rapist Zhenhao Zou.
London’s Metropolitan Police Service has issued renewed appeals following reports from 23 women since March 2025. Zou, found guilty of multiple rapes across the UK and China, is believed to have been a prolific offender, and authorities are concerned that there may be additional unreported cases.
Detective Chief Inspector Stephanie Finlay of the PSNI is leading the outreach, emphasizing the importance of anonymity and support for any potential victims who may have encountered Zou in various settings.
Lastly, the Metropolitan Police continue to investigate the murder of 16-year-old Hani Hicham Abou El Kheir, who was killed in January 2013. Despite multiple convictions related to the case, one suspect, Dilawar Hussain, remains at large.
Police are appealing for information on Hussain's whereabouts, as his evasion of justice presents ongoing concern to Hani's family and the community.
