Double Murder Probe Launched Following Fire - Sky News

4:59pm UK, Monday July 25, 2011

A double murder investigation has been launched after an eight-year-old girl and her elder brother, 21, were killed in a fire in Helensburgh, Argyll and Bute.

Bridget and Thomas Sharkey were killed in a fire in Helensburgh, near Glasgow

Bridget and Thomas Sharkey died at their family home in the early hours of Sunday while their parents were able to escape death by climbing out of the windows.

The couple - Tommy, 55, and 46-year-old Angela - are still being treated for "serious burns" and were described as being in a critical condition on Sunday night.

Thomas Sharkey had been awarded a golf scholarship to Georgia Southern University in America, after having previously studied at Our Lady and Saint Patrick's High in Dumbarton.

This investigation is continuing; however, we believe that this fire was started intentionally and the deaths are now being treated as murder.

Area commander Chief Inspector Fergus Byrne

According to his biography on the Georgia Southern Eagles website, he described himself as "ambitious and competitive", adding that his grandfather and father were
the biggest influence on his budding golf career.

Thomas was found dead at the scene when emergency services were called to the fire at a property in Scott Court at around 5.10am on Sunday.

The rest of the family were taken by ambulance to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley, Renfrewshire and Bridget died a short time later.

Police outside the flat in Scott Court

The child's father was later transferred to Glasgow Royal Infirmary and the incident has sent shockwaves through the town on the banks of the River Clyde.

Helensburgh Central councillor Al Reay said: "Everybody is very shocked, particularly given the fact a young girl has been killed, and a young boy.

"This sort of thing doesn't normally happen in Helensburgh. It is a serious tragedy.

"I understand that the father raised the alarm himself and was hanging out of the window shouting for help.

"The fire brigade turned up very quickly and evacuated everybody from the adjacent flats."

Flowers are left outside the flat where the fire struck

Area commander Chief Inspector Fergus Byrne said: "Extensive inquiries have been ongoing all day at the scene, including a full crime scene forensic investigation by forensic scientists, fire service and Strathclyde Police.

"This investigation is continuing; however, we believe that this fire was started intentionally and the deaths are now being treated as murder."

The officer in charge of the investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Anne McKerchar, said: "This is a tragic event made worse by the fact that it was a deliberate act."

She appealed for information from anyone who was in the James Street, West Princes Street or West Clyde Street areas of Helensburgh around 5am on Sunday morning who may have seen anything suspicious.