Tributes to couple who died in 'arson attack'

POLICE SAY ACCELERANT WAS USED TO START FIRE

- By EMILY CARUBIA

FLORAL tributes have been left at the scene of a house fire that killed an elderly couple.

Peter Eric Greener, 77, and partner Sheila Jackson, 83, were at home in South John Street, St Helens, in the early hours of Tuesday this week when the blaze was set.

The fire spread before emergency services arrived around 12.40am, with neighbours explaining how firefighters struggled to gain access after the door was set alight. The couple were rescued and rushed to hospital with serious injuries.

Police announced Mr Greener died on Wednesday night, before Ms Jackson died early on Thursday.

A joint investigation between Merseyside Police and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service was quickly launched and it has found that an accelerant was used to start the fire maliciously. It’s believed this was carried out by a third party.