Girl, 13, with 'passion for TikTok' killed in fire

A 13-year-old girl "with a passion for TikTok" was described as a "shining light" in the lives of those who knew her in a tribute from her family after she was killed in a house fire.

Layla Allen died after a blaze at a property in Prescot, Merseyside, at about 23:42 BST on Wednesday 2 April.

Merseyside Fire & Rescue Service and Merseyside Police said they carrying out a joint investigation into the cause of the fire.

In the tribute, Layla's family said: "Layla was a typical, happy, and full-of-life 13-year-old, filled with dreams, laughter and love."

The family described her as having a "passion" for the video-led social media site, as well as make-up and drawing.

They said she "expressed her creativity in ways that made her uniquely Layla".

"She was funny, charismatic, and so quick-witted - always ready with a joke or a clever remark that brought smiles to those around her, " Layla's family said.

"With an infectious energy and a heart full of love, she had a way of making every moment brighter."

Layla was "cherished" by her parents, brothers, sisters and grandparents, the tribute added.

The Year Eight pupil at Saint Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy died at the scene of the fire in Kingsway, while a man, a woman and five other children were able to escape the property unharmed.

Acting headteacher Clare McKenna said in a letter to parents: "She had a very big personality, and an even bigger heart - and her death will be felt deeply across the school."

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