Arson Attack in Fingerpost: Timeline of Events and Suspects

Detectives have been investigating the arson attack at a home in Fingerpost that resulted in the deaths of 80-year-old Sheila Jackson and 70-year-old Eric Greener. The attack sent shockwaves through the community and led to the arrest of eight suspects. Here is a timeline of events and a look at what we know so far.

On July 15, fire crews contacted police over reports of a house fire in progress on South John Street in Fingerpost. The elderly occupants, Sheila and Eric, were rescued from inside the home and rushed to hospital in a critical condition. A joint investigation between police and the fire service was launched to establish the cause of the fire, which initial inquiries suggested had been started deliberately.

Neighbours spoke of their shock to the local newspaper, describing the community as a "tight-knit" area where everyone kept to themselves. They had lived in the area for 23 years and had never known anything like this to happen before.

Detectives confirmed that Sheila and Eric had both died following the arson attack and that the investigation was now a double-murder probe. Police added that an accelerant was used to start the fire maliciously and that it was believed this was carried out by a third party.

As the investigation continued, detectives arrested a 31-year-old man on suspicion of murder on July 20. A second man, aged 46, was arrested on July 23, followed by three further suspects on July 29. On July 31, two more suspects were arrested, and an eighth suspect was arrested on August 1.

On July 25, a man was charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger life. Lee Owens, 46, of no fixed address, was remanded into custody to appear at Liverpool Crown Court. His trial is scheduled for January 2024.

Key Takeaways:

• Eight suspects have been arrested in the investigation, with five on conditional bail and three remanded in custody.
• Lee Owens, 46, has been charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger life.
• Sheila and Eric were well-known in the Fingerpost area and had lived at the address for 15 years.
• Neighbours described the community as a "tight-knit" area where everyone kept to themselves.
• Detectives confirmed that an accelerant was used to start the fire maliciously and that it was believed this was carried out by a third party.
• The investigation is ongoing, with detectives appealing to the public for information and urging people not to assume that officers already know information that could be vital for their investigation.

Statistics:

• Two elderly occupants were rescued from the home and rushed to hospital in a critical condition.
• Sheila and Eric died following the arson attack.
• Eight suspects have been arrested in the investigation.
• Five suspects are on conditional bail, and three are remanded in custody.
• Lee Owens, 46, has been charged with two counts of murder and arson with intent to endanger life.
• The trial is scheduled for January 2024.
• The funeral for Sheila and Eric will take place on August 29 at GreenAcres in Rainford.

Sources:

• St Helens Star
• Merseyside Police
• Liverpool Echo
• Crimestoppers