Parents die & baby in ‘poorly condition’ after horror blaze tore through home – as heartbroken family pays tribute
TWO parents who died in a house fire have been named as one child remains in a “poorly condition” following the horror blaze.
The pair have been named by Lancashire Police as Joshua Pearson, 28, and Danielle Bamber, 24.
Firefighters scrambled to home near Blackpool Tower at around 2.30am yesterday after a blaze ripped through the house.
The couple’s two children, aged six and 20 months, were taken to hospital following the tragedy.
The 20-month-old remains in a poorly condition while the six-year-old did not sustain any serious injuries, the force said.
A tribute from Pearson’s family issued by Lancashire Police said: “Joshua was a much-loved son, that will be sorely missed, who adored his girlfriend and children.”
While the force said the woman was yet to be formally identified, they said it was believed to be Danielle Bamber and shared a statement from her family.
The statement said: “We as a family are devastated by what has happened to Danielle our daughter and her family.
“Please allow us respect as a family to grieve in peace and refrain from any further speculation on social media and to refrain from posting further pictures of Danielle and her family. Please respect our wishes at our time.”
Posting on a GoFundMe page, friend Codie Lee said: “Danielle was my best mate at school.
“Their little boys have been left with nothing due to losing everything in the house fire – no clothes, toys or anything.”
Neighbour Carly Ibbotson said: ‘They were a family with a baby and my heart goes out to them all. It’s heartbreaking.
“I saw it all, I heard a guy screaming and looked out of my window and saw all the flames.
“It was 2.36am and I immediately rang 999 my daughter was already awake.
“It was complete carnage – everyone was in the street and screaming.
“There was one guy screaming ‘There are babies in there’. The flames were lapping out and after about an hour they put the fire out.
“Then it started up again at the front and it just relit. It’s awful, I had lots of calls yesterday checking it wasn’t us.
“You just have to hold your family tight. There were lots and lots of firemen in the house.
“They looked awful when they came out covered in smoke. It struck me that they were all so young, it’s heartbreaking.
“I told her to tell him they had done an amazing job and were all so brave.”
Four fire engines scrambled to the burning home with crews using three hoses, six breathing apparatus, and two positive pressure ventilation fans to fight the blaze.
Cops are probing the cause of the fire but have not yet made any arrests.
Chief Superintendent Mike Gladwin said: “This incident has resulted in two people losing their lives.
“My thoughts are with their loved ones at this extremely distressing time.
“I know this tragic news will be met with great sadness in the local community and people will want instant answers.
“However, there are grieving loved ones still trying to come to terms with this devastating news.
“With that in mind, I would ask for patience and that people avoid unhelpful and upsetting speculation.”
