Youth held over girls' fire deaths

The 17-year-old was arrested hours after Demi-Jade Spence, 12, and her 14-year-old sister Tatum perished in the blaze at their home in Lisle Road, South Shields, South Tyneside, Northumbria Police said.

The children's father, John Spence, has been left fighting for his life. Their mother Anita was discharged from hospital.

Her mother, Patricia Fox, told the Evening Chronicle: "You couldn't ask for a better family. They lived for their children. John doesn't know yet. Anita is just broken. All she can say is 'my girls have gone'."

A joint police and fire brigade investigation is under way into the cause of the blaze, which has devastated the community in the Harton area of the town. Fire crews alerted police to the tragedy shortly after 1am and the two girls were found dead in first and second floor rooms in the house.

Mr Spence, 37, who is understood to be a nightclub doorman, suffered serious burns and is in a critical condition at Newcastle's Royal Victoria Infirmary. He is yet to be told of the death of his two daughters.

His wife, Anita, also 37, was treated for less serious injuries at South Tyneside District Hospital and has since been released.

A close friend of Demi-Jade told the Press Association how she had spent most of Tuesday with her. Olivia Smith, aged 12, said she could not believe what had happened as she visited the scene of the fire with her mum Catherine, 39. Both were visibly shocked.

Her mother told the Press Association: "Demi-Jade was a fantastic girl. Indeed, they were a fantastic family. This is unbelievable."

Floral tributes have been left outside the badly damaged house, which was taped off to the public.

A Northumbria Police spokeswoman said: "Police can now confirm that the fire is being treated as suspicious and a 17-year-old male youth has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Investigations continue to be carried out by the police, fire service and forensic science service in order to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire and events leading up to it, including how it was started."