A feud between rival gangs may have led to the 'targeted' arson attack that claimed the lives of three sleeping children after their home was hit by three petrol bombs.

Michelle Pearson, 35, and her three-year-old daughter Lia were asleep when their terraced home was set on fire and the pair are both in a critical condition and 'fighting for their lives' in hospital.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the blaze in Walkden at 5am yesterday claimed the lives of her daughters Demi, 14, and Lacie, seven, and son Brandon, eight.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller said they had also recovered CCTV that proved that it was a 'targeted attack'.

Her eldest child Kyle Pearson, 16, escaped through a window and was left with minor injuries sustained as he tried to get back into the house to save his family.

A recent dispute between rival gangs saw a dog beaten with a hammer and windows in nearby houses smashed in and could have led to the arson attack, MailOnline can reveal.

Five people have been arrested on suspicion of murder and other offences and a man, 25, was also held today. Three of the six are in custody and the remaining suspects are on bail.

This is the moment the number one suspect in the Salford arson attack (pictured in a white top) that killed three children was arrested on suspicion of murder in front of a crowd baying for his blood

Brandon Pearson, eight, and Lacie Pearson, seven, died in the Manchester fire but their youngest sister Lia, three, pictured in their arms, is in a critical condition in hospital

Demi Pearson, 14, was the eldest child to be killed in the deliberate fire in Manchester yesterday as it emerged police had already been to their house hours earlier. Her mother Michelle, 35, survived but is fighting for her life

Aerial footage above the terraced home showed police officers searching the property on Tuesday

The scorched and fire damaged windows of the property where three 'petrol-fuelled' fires are believed to have been started while the family slept inside

Pictures from the scene today show the fire-damaged window frames of the house. There are claims the fire may have been started via the chimney after climbing up the scaffolding (pictured left) and forensics teams are using a high ladder to inspect its roof

The key suspect wanted over the Salford fire was arrested on suspicion of murder last night in front of a crowd baying for his blood and screaming 'dead man walking'.

Neighbours have claimed that the arson attack was the culmination of weeks of intensifying hostilities between gangs including a hammer attack on a dog.

Police were also called to the property three hours before the fatal fire, reportedly to a wheelie bin which was ablaze, and a two weeks ago a house had its windows smashed.

One neighbour said: 'They've all been at each other for ages now. I don't know what started it, but it's just got worse and worse'.

It has also emerged that Michelle has suffered a number of tragedies in recent years and was forced to bring up her five children alone after her long term partner Paul died of cancer one year ago.

Family friend Kyle Skelhorn, 31, said: 'It's devastating. The mother tries her hardest to make ends meet. It's a crying shame a poor family can experience this'.

He added: 'The youngest's dad died last year, if her mother doesn't make it she [Lia] has no-one left.'

The father of the remaining four children is understood to be in prison.

A forensics officer inspects the chimney where a fire bomb is believed to have been dropped into the house below

Police officers were searching the property on Tuesday afternoon and aerial footage showed scaffolding outside the home

Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller (pictured on Tuesday night) said it was a 'targeted attack'

The arson suspect, believed to be a 23-year-old man, was dragged from his car and marched away in handcuffs by police at around 7pm last night.

The arrest was a mile away from the house in Walkden, Greater Manchester, ripped apart by fire at 5am yesterday.

A large crowd gathered in the snow to see the suspect taken away hurled abuse at him and one man screamed: 'I hope you die you b*****d. F*****g dead man walking' while a woman screams 'evil c***'.

Last night it emerged the alleged arsonist may have thrown lit petrol bombs down the chimney hours after warning them: 'I'll kill you all'.

The main suspect was reportedly dragged from his car.

A witness said: 'My girlfriend was coming home from work last night at about 6pm and she was adamant she'd seen him driving down the road.

'She said 'I'm sure he's just driven past in a car'. We saw him being pulled from the car by police and being patted down. He flipped his hood up over his head when he saw I was videoing him. The police led him away to a van'.

Police confirm it was a 'targeted' attack on the house Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller said on Tuesday evening: 'We now have a much deeper understanding of the devastating events that led to the tragic deaths of three children in Walkden in the early hours of yesterday morning and have made significant progress in this investigation. 'Although no formal identification has taken place the children are believed to be 14-year-old Demi Pearson, eight-year-old Brandon Pearson and seven-year-old Lacie Pearson. 'Their mum and their three year old little sister are still fighting for their lives in hospital. 'We cannot imagine what their family are going through. They are all obviously completely devastated. The loss of a child in any circumstance is unthinkable but to lose three in such deplorable circumstances, words cannot describe. 'My heart breaks for them - it really does. Our specially trained family liaison officers are supporting the family and we are doing all that we can to get them the answers they quite rightly deserve. 'We have connected CCTV from the area and now believe this to be a targeted attack on this house. 'We have a full team of detectives and special trained officers working on the case and overnight we arrested five people - four on suspicion of murder and one on suspicion of assisting an offender. 'Today we have arrested a 25-year-old man, also on suspicion of murder. 'Two of those arrested on suspicion of murder - age 19 and 20 - have been released on bail as has the 24-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender. 'We are so very grateful to the members of the public who have come forward and given us information to help with our investigation. 'We have received vital information which has helped us to make this progress. 'We are continuing to appeal for information, however. We have made arrests but the hard or has only just begun. 'Justice can only be don e with the help and support of the local community. 'Anyone with information is asked to call us on 0161 856 8797 or call crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. 'A mandatory referral has been made to the IPCC. This will be a painstaking investigation from all involved.' Advertisement

A plastic bottle and a length or pipe was taken away from a property around a mile from the fire where the suspect is believed to live with his mother

The investigation is centred on the chimney - but the fire is believed to have engulfed both floors after being started in three places

Flowers, toys and candles left for the children who lost their lives in the deliberate fire in Jackson Street yesterday

Floral tributes, toys and candles have began expanding on the pavement outside.

Investigators, wearing white plastic suits, took pictures of the roof and chimney of the burned-out property.

Seven-year-old Lacie Pearson (pictured) died following the arson attack at her home on Monday morning

The heavy-duty blockade is lined with police vehicles and officers making enquiries as they patrol the scene.

The large steal blanket blocks off public access to the street as people from the surrounding community pay tributes.

A smiley emoji soft-toy placed underneath the Jackson Street road sign has the words 'RIP Demi, Brandon and Lacie' penned across it.

A fundraising site has also been launched to support the family with £1,000 raised from a £2,000 target.

Two teenage boys – Ms Pearson's son Kyle and a friend named locally as Bobby - managed to flee the house as it went up in flames from an upstairs window.

Kyle said last night: 'I can't get my head around it. It's disgraceful. It's hard to talk about it. I'm in shock'.

The fire may have been started after fuel was poured into the house from the roof and set alight after clambering up some scaffolding.

The blown out windows of the house where three children were killed and a three-year-old was left critically ill

Forensic officers attended the scene of a house fire in Salford, Greater Manchester, on Monday. There are claims the fire was started by pouring fuel down the chimney

Notes and cards have been left for the children including 14-year-old Demi, described as a great friend and sister in messages outside the house

Police have been removing evidence from the house today with detectives describing the attack as 'murder using fire'

Killer started three 'petrol-fuelled' fires as children slept inside The killer of three children who died in an arson attack set a series of petrol-fuelled fires at their home - torching both floors of the property as they slept. It is understood that the culprit targeted the chimney, the door, and a ground floor window in the attack which claimed the lives of Michelle Pearson's three children. It is believed that it was the second time in a week that the family home at Jackson Street, Walkden, was targeted by arson. It is understood the evidence uncovered so far points to a sustained and determined attack on the property. It has emerged: Traces of fuel were found in at least three locations - the chimney, a ground-floor room, and the front door.

The downstairs front room, back room, kitchen, and entrance were all damaged by fire.

The killer may have scaled scaffolding to reach the chimney - which fire investigators were today using an aerial platform to examine.

At the end of last month firefighters fitted a security device on the letterbox to prevent flammable materials being poured through it.

Family had been living under threat of an arson attack for at least two weeks Advertisement

A family friend told The Sun: 'I heard it (came) down the chimney.'

A stepfather of one of the teenagers who survived told the paper that a man turned up at the house 'yelling abuse' and was 'banging on the door'.

He said: 'The mum was speaking to him out the window, telling him to 'pack it in'. She called the police. Officers attended. They took statements. I heard that before the man walked away he yelled, 'I'll kill you all'.'

Close friend Janette Dean, 54, claimed Miss Pearson had been in a long-running row with a neighbour, who she said had 'smashed up' her house with a hammer last week after an argument.

'Shell was involved in a row with a bloke and his girlfriend and he smashed up Michelle's house with a hammer last week after an argument,' she said.

'I felt sick when I found out about what had happened. What happened today is terrible, it's the worst - it's unbelievable those kids are dead.

'At the end of the day Michelle had her fair share of problems, but she loved those kids and she was good woman and good mum.'

Police were called to the property at around 2am following a reported incident - three hours before the blaze took hold.

Security had been stepped up at the mid-terrace property and sources said the house had been 'target hardened' to protect the family.

An increased security device was fitted on the letterbox and officers said the force had 'very recent physical contact with the family - within a day of the attack.

A metal screen was put up at the entrance to the street following the deliberate fire on Monday morning

Police had set up a forensics tent outside the home, where burnt out windows can be seen

Friends of Demi posted tributes on Facebook after hearing of her tragic death this morning

Police, who described the blaze as 'murder, using fire' have made five arrests.

Police reported to watchdog over visit to house hours earlier The family of Michelle Pearson had been living under threat before the devastating attack. Security had been stepped up at the mid-terrace property before the fire and sources confirmed the house had been 'target hardened' to protect the family living there from attack. Measures included the fitting of an increased security device on the letterbox to prevent things being thrown in or even a fire being started. Police confirmed that the force had 'very recent physical contact' with the family - understood to be within 24 hours of the devastating attack. Police had been called there to a reported incident at the house at around 2am, around three hours before the blaze took hold. As well as the possibility that a flammable liquid was poured through the home's letterbox, there have also been reports that the perpetrator used scaffolding to launch the attack through the chimney although there has been been no confirmation of this by Greater Manchester Police. Chief Supt Wayne Miller confirmed at a press conference held at Swinton police station that there had been 'earlier incidents' at the address, but refused to elaborate further or confirm the nature of the call. As a result of the prior police contact GMP has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in line with procedure. IPCC acting Deputy Director of Operations for the North of England Steve Noonan said: 'This is a most tragic incident in which three young lives have been lost, and our thoughts and sympathies are with the family and friends of the children who sadly died, and those injured. 'We have carefully assessed the referral from Greater Manchester Police, and as there was prior police contact, feel that it is necessary to independently investigate the circumstances of this incident in relation to the force's actions.' Advertisement

The Manchester Evening News said today that there were three 'petrol-fuelled fires' - one down the chimney, one on the front door and one in a ground-floor room.

They have now detained a 20-year-old woman, 23-year-old man and two other men aged 20 and 18 on suspicion of murder. A 24-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Last night the 16-year-old brother who escaped the inferno, Kyle Pearson, told of his miraculous survival and paid tribute to siblings Demi, 14, Brandon, eight, and Lacie, seven.

He revealed how he climbed out of an upstairs window then tried to fight his way back inside but was beaten back by flames and smoke.

He said: 'I fell asleep and the next thing I knew was I could hear my mum screaming 'Fire!' There was lots of smoke so I climbed out of an upstairs window.

'I've gone to get back in but a cloud of smoke hit me in the face. I tried to break the front door down and smashed a window, but I couldn't get in because of the flames and the smoke'.

Paying tribute to his siblings he added: 'Demi was a top girl, very funny. Brandon was very clever and doing well at school. He was brainy. He loved playing computer games and he was looking forward to Christmas.'

Of Lacie, he said: 'She was the same, clever.'

His younger sister three-year-old Lia remains in a critical condition in hospital.

Demi was a pupil at Harrop Fold School in Salford, which featured in the Channel 4 documentary Educating Greater Manchester.

Headteacher Drew Povey said: 'We are devastated at the tragic loss of life today in our community. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family involved.'

Jackson Street remains cordoned off, with one end blocked by large steel barriers, as the joint police and fire service investigation continues.

Emergency services were called to the house in Salford just before 5am yesterday. One neighbour said she awoke to hear a woman screaming and could see the red glow of the fire through her curtains.

Brandon, 8, Lacie, 7, and Lia Pearson, three, sleep together at home, which was set alight yesterday

Lacie Pearson, seven, (left) and her sister Demi (right) have been named as two of the victims of the fire

Brandon, eight, and Lacie, seven, pictured with Peppa Pig, also died following the tragedy in the early hours of Monday

Their mother has been named as Michelle Pearson (pictured) and is still in hospital in a serious condition

Timeline: How the fire horror unfolded 2am Police called to the house after an incident and leave again. 4.58am Fire service called to Jackson Street in Walkden, Salford, after reports of a large fire in terraced house. 7.26am Street closed off as it emerges six people - five from the same family - are taken to hospital. 12.11pm Neighbours describe hearing 'screaming and banging' during the night and a 'quite loud' argument 1.41pm Police confirmed three children died in the fire and a three-year-old girl remained in hospital in a critical condition with her 35-year-old mother 2.46pm First victim of the fire was named as 14-year-old Demi Pearson. 6.58pm Police arrest man, 23, and a woman, 20, on suspicion of murder. 7.58pm Demi's younger brother Brandon, eight, and his sister Lacie, seven, named as victims. 8.51pm Police make three further arrests. Two men, 18 and 20, held on suspicion of murder. Man, 24, held on suspicion of assisting an offender Source: MEN Advertisement

There have also been reports that the perpetrator used scaffolding to launch the attack, although there has been no confirmation of this by police.

Chief Supt Wayne Miller said there had been 'earlier incidents' at the address, but refused to elaborate further or confirm the nature of the call.

As a result of the prior police contact GMP has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) in line with procedure.

The police chief said: 'There have been earlier incidents at the address and consequently a referral to the IPCC has been made.'

Greater Manchester Police said there had been 'previous incidents' at the terraced home in Worsley. The force has voluntarily referred itself to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

Windows at the house were said to have been damaged before while a security device had reportedly been fitted to the letterbox.

Emergency services had been called to the home just three hours before the blaze after a wheelie bin was set on fire.

Police last night were questioning the five suspects – four men and a woman – in custody. They refused to rule out the suspected arson attack being gang-related.

Chief Superintendent Wayne Miller said: 'The deaths of these three children is heartbreaking.'

He added: 'I want to describe what this incident is. It's the murder, using fire, of three children and we have a three-year-old girl fighting for her life. This will devastate this family forever and words cannot describe what they are going through.'

Police have launched a murder probe amid claims fuel may have been used and poured down the chimney