The family of a 36-year-old mother and her three children who died in a house fire in Bootle, Merseyside, United Kingdom, have described their deaths as an “unimaginable” loss.
Elisha Brabin and her children, Leo, 16, Ellis, eight, and Prudence, seven, died after a fire broke out at their home on Stone Square in the early hours of Tuesday.
The blaze was said to have spread rapidly through the house, killing the mother and her three children.
In a statement released by the family, they said they were “devastated by the loss of Elisha, Leo, Ellis and Prudence”, adding that their deaths had left them “heartbroken”.
The statement described Elisha as “a devoted and loving mother” who “lived for her children”, while the three children were said to have been “loved beyond measure”.
The family said, “Elisha was our beloved daughter, wife, mother, sister, auntie, niece and cousin.
“She was a devoted and loving mother who lived for her children. They were her whole world, and she meant everything to us.”
Speaking about the children, the family added, “Our beautiful babies, Leo, Ellis and Prudence, were loved beyond measure and brought so much joy, happiness and love to our family.
“They filled our lives with laughter and precious memories that we will cherish forever.
“The tragic loss of Elisha and our three precious children has left us heartbroken. They have all been taken from us far too soon.
“The loss we are experiencing is unimaginable, and the impact on our family will be felt forever.”
The family appealed for privacy as they grieved and supported one another, while thanking members of the public for their kindness and support.
Tributes, including flowers, cards, toys and balloons, have since been left near the police cordon at Stone Square.
A neighbour identified as Rachel, who grew up near Elisha, said the mother was devoted to her children.
“She made her children happy, she did everything for her children,” she said, adding, “They were loved. It’s just really, really sad.”
Another resident, Loti Nambombe, who is caring for the family’s dog, said the tragedy had affected the entire community.
“It’s a community. It’s broken. It hurts,” he said.
Nambombe also established an online fundraising appeal for the family, which had raised more than £5,000 by Wednesday.
He said the money could be used to cover funeral expenses or other needs of the bereaved family.
He said, “Everybody just wants to do something to help, that’s our duty as neighbours and as a community.”
Nambombe also recounted how residents rushed outside after hearing screams during the fire, with some attempting to rescue those trapped inside.
“Some of the guys here are real heroes.
They were trying to run in, get ladders or smash windows to get people out. People nearly risked their own lives to try and help,” he said.
Liverpool metro mayor Steve Rotheram also paid tribute to the community’s response, telling BBC Radio Merseyside, “There is that bond in most of those communities that we’re talking about, certainly in Bootle and places like that – a very, very strong identity.
“I’m certain that whatever they can do as a community to help those who have been left behind, they will.”
