A THIRD person has been charged with murder after a house fire in Walkden left four children dead.

David Worrall, aged 25, of Worsley Avenue, Worsley has been charged with four counts of murder, three counts of attempted murder and one count of arson with intent to endanger life.

He remains in custody and will appear at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court today.

Shortly before 5am on Monday, December 11, emergency services were called to Jackson Street in Walkden to reports of a house fire.

The fire service sought to put the fire under control and rescue the people inside the house but three children, believed to be 15-year-old Demi Pearson, 8-year-old Brandon Pearson and 7-year-old Lacie Pearson, died.

A fourth child, believed to be three-year-old Lia Pearson, died yesterday.

Their 35-year-old mother remains in hospital for treatment.

Two 16-year-old boys were able to escape the property.