Arson attacks have gripped Merseyside this summer, with an elderly couple being murdered in one of the three horrific incidents
Merseyside Police scene at South John Street, St Helens(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Merseyside has been plagued with horrific arson attacks in recent weeks as families reel from the devastation it has caused and the lives lost as a result. In the early hours of Tuesday, July 15, Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson were rescued from their home after an accelerant was used to set their terraced house In South John Street, St Helens, ablaze.
The horrific fire, which neighbours said took hold of the front door and slowed down fire crews, puzzled detectives in the days that followed before Merseyside Police confirmed Eric had died from his injuries the following day, closely followed by his partner Sheila the next morning.
In the week that followed, two men were arrested on suspicion of murder with their family paying tribute to the “queen and king” that they were.
The family said the couple loved karaoke and enjoyed caravan holidays. In a heartbreaking tribute, they said: “Sheila and Eric, also known as our Queen and King were a deeply loved mum, nan, great-Nan, sister, auntie, dad, step-dad, grandad, great-grandad, uncle and couple.
“They were known for being the life and soul of the party, always loving a song on the karaoke and enjoying a great caravan holiday. They will forever be devastatingly missed but eternally loved by their family, friends and the community.”
Sheila Jackson and Eric Greener(Image: PA)
Police soon charged Lee Owens, 46, with two counts of murder and is now set to stand trial in January next year. Alongside Owens, detectives have arrested seven others in connection to the murders.
But in the weeks that have followed the horrific attack on the elderly couple’s home, a person was rescued from a house after it was bricked and petrol was poured through the window before it was set alight.
The arson attack took place on Roxburgh Street, in Walton, on the night of Friday, July 25, with police believing two man fled the scene on a scrambler bike towards Hale Road.
The fire damaged house on Roxburgh Street in Walton(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A joint investigation between Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service was launched and, despite the large blaze at the property, no injuries were reported.
Chief Inspector Ben Wayment was quick to slam the attack when he said at the time: “This is a totally reckless act, especially with the recent incident where two people sadly lost their lives to such a mindless act. Let me be clear, arson puts the lives of residents in serious danger
“Thankfully no one was hurt from this mindless act which could have ended in a fatality.”
Footage obtained by the ECHO showed two hooded men circling the north Liverpool street shortly before the house was bricked and set alight.
Two hooded men were seen circling Roxburgh Street in Walton before a house was set on fire
Neighbours described the terrifying moment that the fire took hold of the house with a man still inside. One resident said: “I came out of my house after hearing the crash and commotion and the fire was already huge at this point, there were sparks flying from the window.”
She said an older man who lives in the house was still upstairs as the flames grew, adding: “We were shouting up to him but he either couldn’t hear us or couldn’t get through the fire, or maybe he was too scared to try.
“The fire team arrived quickly and manage to get it out fairly quickly and took the man out of the house. A lot of us neighbours just stood in shock for a good hour, just glad no one was seriously harmed.”
Just a day later, emergency services rushed to the scene of yet another arson attack, this time on Carlingford Close in Toxteth, where it is believed a fire was started in the porch of a house before spreading a neighbouring property.
House fire on Carlingford Close(Image: Wesley Holmes)
Fire crews and police were called to the scene shortly before midnight on Saturday, July 26, where the fire was quickly put out and a third joint investigation was launched.
Officers are urging people with any information to get in touch after the “dangerous act put lives at risk.”
Detective Inspector Victoria Lanceley said: “We are in the early stages of the investigation, however it is believed to have been started with petrol in the porch of one property which then quickly spread to the house next door.
“We all know too well the devastation and fatal consequences such an incredibly dangerous act can cause and puts the lives of residents in the street at risk. It’s only down to sheer fortune that no one was injured in this incident and clearly it could have been a lot worse.”