Funeral takes place for Freckleton house fire siblings

Michelle Smith paid tribute to her "four beautiful children" who died in January

The funeral of four siblings who died in a fire at a house in Freckleton, Lancashire, has taken place.

Reece Smith, 19, four-year-old twins Holly and Ella, and two-year-old Jordan died in January.

Their mother, Michelle, spoke publicly for the first time during the service, paying tribute to her "four beautiful children".

She called Reece "my best friend, my rock and a big brother/daddy to your little sisters and brother".

"Holly and Ella, you were my beautiful girls," she added. "I remember the day I had my scan and they told me I was having twins and nearly fell off the bed.

"Jordan, you were my little man with piercing blue eyes and a very cheeky personality.

"You were all my heart, my life, my babies. God bless my little man Jordan, my beautiful twins Holly and Ella and Reece my hero."

Smoke inhaled

Two separate coffins were brought in horse-drawn carriages, one carrying Reece and Jordan and draped in a Blackpool FC flag, and another draped in pink and carrying the twins.

Mrs Smith, was with her five other children as the funeral procession visited the site of the fire on Lytham Road before heading to St John's Church on East Beach, Lytham.

Reverend Jack Wixon said local people had been "very upset" by the deaths.

Following the service, the procession continued to Lytham Crematorium for a private ceremony.

Post-mortem tests found the siblings died from the effects of breathing in smoke.

Police believe the fire was started deliberately and are treating the deaths as murder.

An 18-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder in January was bailed pending further inquiries.