![\"Peter](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/0_Blank-2-Grids-Collage.png\")
Peter Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, died following an arson attack at their home on South John Street, in St Helens, on Tuesday 15 July<\/p>\nEric and Sheila died in the days that followed the blaze<\/p>\n
11:20, 20 Jul 2025Updated 11:43, 20 Jul 2025<\/p>\n
Peter Eric Greener, 77, and Sheila Jackson, 83, died following an arson attack at their home on South John Street, in St Helens, on Tuesday 15 July<\/p>\n
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a couple were killed in a house fire earlier this week. Police<\/a> announced the break through in the investigation after the couple’s house was set alight in the early hours of Tuesday, July 15.<\/p>\n Peter Eric Greener, better known as Eric, and partner Sheila Jackson were rescued from the blaze on South John Street in St Helens<\/a> by firefighters. Eric, 77, died in hospital on Wednesday, July 16, before Sheila, 83, died the following morning.<\/p>\n In the early hours of Sunday, July 20, Merseyside Police arrested a 31-year-old man from St Helens on suspicion of murder. He has been taken to custody for questioning.<\/p>\n Detective Superintendent Rachel Wilson, Senior Investigating Officer, said: \u201cAlthough an arrest has been made, I would like to take this opportunity to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work.<\/p>\n \u201cExtensive enquiries continue, and to that end we are still appealing for anyone with information to come forward, particularly if you live in the area of South John Street and recall seeing or hearing anything suspicious at around the time of the incident. Please do not assume what you know has already been reported to us, as we can quickly make that assessment.\u201d<\/p>\n Police said in the days that followed the arson attack that accelerant had been used in the fire and neighbours told the ECHO <\/a>how the front door was enveloped in the flames, slowing down the firefighters’ attempts to rescue the couple.<\/p>\n Speaking to the ECHO<\/a> from Merseyside Police’s HQ<\/a>, detective superintendent Rachel Wilson said that grandparents Mr Greener and Ms Jackson had been together for 30 years and had been living at the address in St Helens<\/a> for 15.<\/p>\n She said: “Neighbours described them as a lovely couple<\/a>. It\u2019s horrendous what has happened to a lovely couple living in a residential street. We are supporting the family through this horrendous time for them while we establish what happened and why.”<\/p>\n Neighbours who spoke to the ECHO from the scene of the blaze described the pair as “good people”<\/a>. Gavin Thelwell, who lives on the same block of terraced houses as the fire-damaged home, said: “When I came out of my house, there were fire engines that had already arrived, but the front door was on fire, which was stopping the firefighters from getting inside.<\/p>\n “They had to put that out before they managed to get them out of the house.” He continued: “I feel so sorry for them; they’re good people. I chat with them all the time.<\/p>\n “He’s usually walking down with his walking frame to go to the pub<\/a>, and he’ll stop halfway by the street sign to have a break. They were always really nice – I just can’t believe this has happened. It’s so bad.”<\/p>\n In a moving tribute, St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer said: “My thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go out to loved ones of Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson after the news of their passing during a house fire in Fingerpost.<\/p>\n Many years ago, I was a family friend of Sheila\u2019s during our childhood in Gerard\u2019s Bridge; back then, you could tell that she was a warm-hearted, community-spirited person. In the past 48 hours I have been moved to read from so many people that both Sheila and Peter continued to be an important part of their community.<\/p>\n “This is extremely saddening and concerning news. I pray that they now rest peacefully.”<\/p>\n If you have any information, you can visit Merseyside Police’s dedicated web page to submit information or footage which can help in the investigation: Public Portal<\/a><\/p>\n You can also contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook<\/a> \u2018Merseyside Police Contact Centre\u2019. You can also report information via the force’s website: Report a crime | Merseyside Police<\/a> or call 101 quoting incident reference 25000580909.<\/p>\n![\"Sheila](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/1_Sheila-and-Peter.jpg\")
Sheila Jackson and Eric Greener<\/p>\n