A murder investigation has since been launched
A moving tribute has been paid to a “warm-hearted, community-spirited” woman who died in a house fire along with her partner. St Helens South and Whiston MP Marie Rimmer paid tribute to Sheila Jackson, 83, and Peter Eric Greener, 77, who died in the days that followed a horrific arson attack on their home, which has since prompted a murder investigation.
Emergency services rushed to the scene on South John Street in St Helens following reports of a house fire. Fire crews worked to put the fire out, which neighbours said took hold of the front door, with the couple being rescued from their home in the early hours of Tuesday, July 15.
They were rushed to hospital, but it was announced Peter, better known to family and friends as Eric, had died on Wednesday night, with his partner Sheila dying in hospital the following morning.
The motive behind the deadly fire is yet to be established, with police appealing for information as a joint investigation with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service has been launched.
Ms Rimmer posted the following in her touching tribute on social media: “My thoughts, prayers and deepest condolences go out to loved ones of Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson after the news of their passing during a house fire in Fingerpost.
“Many years ago, I was a family friend of Sheila’s during our childhood in Gerard’s Bridge; back then, you could tell that she was a warm-hearted, community-spirited person. In the past 48 hours I have been moved to read from so many people that both Sheila and Peter continued to be an important part of their community.
“This is extremely saddening and concerning news. I pray that they now rest peacefully.”
Speaking to the ECHO from Merseyside Police’s HQ on Thursday, detective superintendent Rachel Wilson said detectives were treating their deaths as murder.
The senior officer told the ECHO officers working on the case with investigators from Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service believe an accelerant was used to start the blaze.
Detective Superintendent Wilson said: “We believe this was a deliberate, malicious attack on that address.
“In terms of motive or further details about the accelerant, there’s still lots of investigation to progress.”
She said police and the fire service are working to establish what the accelerant was, but believe it was used at the front of the end-terrace house.
The officer added: “In terms of motive, that is an urgent line of enquiry for us. We want to establish why that address was targeted, if it is a targeted address. We are 48 hours in and pursuing some good lines of enquiry, but it’s too early to say.”
Detective superintendent Wilson told the ECHO that grandparents Mr Greener and Ms Jackson had been together for 30 years and had been living at the address in St Helens for 15.
Anyone with information should contact Merseyside Police social media desk via X @MerPolCC or on Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also report information via the website: Report a crime | Merseyside Police or call 101 quoting incident reference 25000580909.Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via their website here:Giving information anonymously | Crimestoppers. In an emergency always call 999.