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Elderly couple die after 'sickening' arson attack

Rumeana Jahangir
BBC News, Liverpool
BBC A brown housing block can be seen through a wire fence. A white police tent, which is surrounded by police tape, has been set up next to the building. BBC
The couple were initially rescued and taken to hospital but both later died

A murder inquiry has been launched after two elderly grandparents died following a "sickening" arson attack, police have said.

Peter Eric Greener, 77, and his 83-year-old partner Sheila Jackson were in a house on South John Street in St Helens when the fire broke out at about 00:40 BST on Tuesday, Merseyside Police said.

The force said Mr Greener died on Wednesday night while Ms Jackson succumbed to her injuries on Thursday morning.

"It's difficult to comprehend how someone could deliberately start a fire while two elderly people are inside the home," Det Ch Insp Steve McGrath said.

"It's absolutely sickening and we are determined to find the person or people responsible."

Two police vans are parked outside a brown-brick housing block. There is police tape across the front of the building and a white tent has been erected next to the building.
Police are appealing for information about the fire and any video footage that may have been recorded in the area

Supt Rachel Wilson added: "An elderly couple should be safe in their own home."

The pair had been together for 30 years and had adult children as well as grandchildren, Supt Wilson said.

"It's hard to comprehend losing a mum and dad in a matter of hours and to find out it's deliberate attack on a family home, it is horrendous."

Burnt out window frames with police tape in the foreground at the crime scene.
Police said the neighbourhood was "sickened" by what had happened

She said the couple had lived in in the street for 15 years, adding: "Neighbours say Eric and Sheila are a lovely couple.

"The neighbours are sickened by what has happened and are very supportive of the investigation."

The couple were rescued from inside the house and taken to hospital, where they both later died.

Officers working with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service found "an accelerant [had been] used to start the fire maliciously".

The force added: "It's believed this was carried out by a third party."

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