A 31-year-old man has been taken into custody by police investigating the deaths of an elderly couple following a devastating house fire in St Helens, Merseyside. The man, whose identity has not been made public, was arrested in the early hours of Sunday on suspicion of murder and is currently being questioned by officers. This dramatic development revisits a tragic incident that has sent shockwaves throughout the local community and prompted an outpouring of grief and concern.
The fire, which erupted in the early hours of Tuesday last week at a home on South John Street, claimed the lives of Peter Eric Greener, aged 77, and his partner Sheila Jackson, 83. Mr Greener, known as Eric to loved ones, succumbed to his injuries on 16 July, while Ms Jackson passed away the following day. In a statement, Merseyside Police confirmed that their investigation revealed an accelerant had been used to deliberately ignite the blaze, raising disturbing questions about the circumstances surrounding the fire.
Family members, still reeling from the loss, have shared photographs of the couple through police channels. One poignant image shows Mr Greener side-by-side with Ms Jackson, underscoring the deep connection they shared. The release of these pictures has further personalised what Det Chief Inspector Steve McGrath described last week as a “truly shocking incident.” He noted that the nature of the crime had left people across Merseyside horrified and “utterly appalled.”
Detectives are continuing to conduct comprehensive enquiries into the case. Det Superintendent Rachel Wilson, serving as the senior investigating officer, called for the public’s assistance. She urged anyone with information, particularly residents in the vicinity of South John Street who may have seen or heard anything suspicious around the time of the fire, to contact authorities promptly. Ms Wilson also appealed for caution on social media: “Although an arrest has been made, I would like to remind people to pass on information directly to police or anonymously via Crimestoppers, and not to comment or post in any way which jeopardises this ongoing work.”
Such comments reflect police sensitivity to online speculation—investigators have repeatedly stated that premature statements or unvetted online discussions can risk compromising the progress of inquiries. Ms Wilson emphasised, “Please do not assume what you know has already been reported to us, as we can quickly make that assessment.” Authorities are clearly striving to pool all available evidence, determined to piece together exactly how such a tragedy unfolded.
Residents in St Helens have been left shaken, with many expressing disbelief that such violence could touch their normally peaceful neighbourhood. Local authorities have increased their presence in the area both to offer reassurance and to encourage potential witnesses to come forward with any information that might assist the investigation.
Police have issued a direct appeal to anyone who might possess relevant details, no matter how minor they may seem. Information can be supplied to Merseyside Police via the dedicated number (101), quoting reference 25000580909, or through the force’s social media channels. For those wishing to remain anonymous, calls can be made to Crimestoppers at 0800 555 111.
The shocking fire, now being treated as a double murder investigation, has highlighted the vulnerability of older people and the deep impact of violent crime on families and communities. As the investigation continues, the local community and all of Merseyside await further updates, hopeful for answers and justice for Peter Eric Greener and Sheila Jackson.
Further developments are anticipated as police pursue additional lines of enquiry, working to ensure those responsible for this tragic event are brought to justice. In the meantime, the thoughts of many across the region are with the families of those who lost their lives in such heartbreaking circumstances.