A mother and three of her children have died after a devastating house fire in Bootle, while the children’s father was seriously injured in what locals said was a desperate attempt to rescue his family.
Elisha Brabin, 36, and her children Leo, 16, Ellis, eight, and Prudence, seven, were found by firefighters inside an upstairs bedroom at their home in Stone Square during the early hours of Tuesday.
All four were pronounced dead at the scene.
The children’s father, Kane Stephenson, was found outside the property suffering serious burns and was taken into the care of the North West Ambulance Service before being transferred to hospital.
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Elisha Brabin and three of her four children are understood to have been found dead in a bedroom at their home. Pictured: Elisha and her daughter Prue
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Elisha Brabin and her partner Kane, from Bootle, are pictured. The mother died in a devastating house fire during the early hours of Tuesday, while Kane suffered serious burns
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Ellis Brabin, Eight. Flowers, teddy bears, photographs and cards were pictured at the scene today as locals began paying tribute
Firefighters Found the House ‘Well Alight’
Emergency crews were called shortly after 3.30am following a 999 call reporting the fire.
Six fire engines and eight firefighters were sent to the scene, with the first fire engine arriving at around 3.45am.
By the time crews arrived, the semi-detached house was already described as being ‘well alight’, with the fire spreading rapidly.
Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property and began searching for anyone who might still be inside.
During the search, they discovered Elisha and her three children in an upstairs bedroom. The four were showing no signs of life.
Chief Fire Officer Nick Searle said crews had been confronted with a rapidly developing fire when they arrived.
“Firstly, our thoughts are with everyone who’s been affected by the tragic incident this morning,” he said.
He confirmed that six fire engines had attended at the height of the incident and that firefighters had entered the burning property to search for occupants.
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A family tribute today said: ‘Our beautiful babies, Leo (above), Ellis and Prudence, were loved beyond measure and brought so much joy, happiness and love to our family’
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Prudence dressed up as a pirate
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Firefighters rushed to the scene at around 3.45am on Tuesday with the home already ‘well alight’
Father Named Locally After Desperate Rescue Attempt
Kane Stephenson, Elisha’s partner and the children’s father, has been named locally as the man who was outside the property with serious burns.
Reports from the community said he had smashed windows at the house in a desperate attempt to reach those trapped inside.
He was treated by paramedics before being taken to hospital.
Another of the couple’s four children is understood to have been staying elsewhere on the night of the fire.
The circumstances surrounding Kane’s injuries and the family’s final moments remain part of the ongoing investigation.
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Forensic investigators are pictured outside the home on Tuesday afternoon
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Firefighters were seen damping down the area in the hours after the blaze
Family Pays Tribute to ‘Our Beautiful Babies’
The family’s grief was reflected in a statement released following the tragedy.
“Our whole family is devastated by the loss of Elisha, Leo, Ellis and Prudence,” they said.
They described Elisha as a “devoted and loving mother” who “lived for her children”, adding that they were “her whole world”.
The family also paid tribute to Leo, Ellis and Prudence as children who were “loved beyond measure” and who had brought “so much joy, happiness and love” into their lives.
“They filled our lives with laughter and precious memories that we will cherish forever,” the statement said.
The family described the loss as “unimaginable” and asked for privacy while they grieve and support one another.
They also thanked the community for its kindness and support.
Flowers and Teddy Bears Gather Outside the Home
As news of the deaths spread, residents began gathering near the property to pay their respects.
Flowers, photographs, cards, candles and teddy bears were placed near the scene, alongside pink and blue star-shaped balloons.
Among the soft toys were Minecraft and Star Wars characters.
One card read: “God bless you all. Heartbroken to hear about the devastating fire.”
Another said: “Sleep tight. Forever in our hearts.”
Neighbours from Marsh Avenue and King Avenue also gathered to support one another.
One woman recalled hearing a commotion after being woken by the incident.
“I heard a commotion and went outside. I heard screaming, the lady was shouting,” she said.
Another neighbour said his daughter woke him before he ran towards the fire carrying a stepladder in an attempt to help.
Former Nursery Teacher Remembers the Children
Kerry Collins, a former nursery school teacher who had previously looked after two of the children, also left a tribute.
“They were lovely kids,” she said. “They were really playful and the headteacher really adored them. She’ll be devastated.”
Her comments reflected the shock felt by those who knew the family and the children through the local community.
A fundraising appeal started by people who knew Lisha had also raised more than £5,000 following the tragedy.
Investigation Into How the Fire Started
Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police are carrying out a joint investigation into the cause of the blaze.
A police cordon remained around the property while forensic investigators and detectives examined the scene.
Firefighters were also seen damping down the area after the main blaze had been brought under control.
Chief Fire Officer Searle said a full investigation would now take place between the fire service and police.
“There will now be a full joint investigation with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service and Merseyside Police into the cause of the fire,” he said.
He added that fire crews would maintain a visible presence in the community in the days following the tragedy.
MFRS Area Manager Kevin Longshaw said the incident had left firefighters and emergency service colleagues “devastated”.
He said the service would work with relevant agencies to establish how the fire began, while extending condolences to the family and friends of those who had died or been injured.
Community Left ‘Heartbroken’
Sefton Council leader Marion Atkinson also expressed her condolences to those affected.
“This is a truly devastating incident that I know will have shocked and saddened people across our communities,” she said.
“Our thoughts are with the family, their friends, neighbours and everyone affected by this heartbreaking tragedy. No words can ease the pain of such an unimaginable loss.”
For the family and the Bootle community, the focus now remains on mourning Elisha, Leo, Ellis and Prudence while investigators work to establish exactly what caused the fatal fire.
The four deaths have left a family devastated and a neighbourhood struggling to come to terms with a tragedy that unfolded in the early hours of a Tuesday morning.