Schoolgirl, 13, Died After Her Bed Was 'Set on Fire with a Lighter'
Fire investigators concluded the fire was likely started by a lighter used by a child, but the coroner gave an open verdict due to insufficient evidence to confirm the exact cause.
- Coroner Anita Bhardwaj recorded an open verdict, saying she lacked sufficient evidence to make findings of fact in 13-year-old Layla Allen’s death after a bedroom blaze at her family home on Kingsway, Prescot on April 2, 2024.
- Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service investigators concluded the blaze was likely started by a lighter, judging it 'more likely than not' one of the children ignited the fire with a live-flame lighter.
- Fire crews were called at around 11.40pm to the Kingsway home in Prescot and found Layla on the top bunk; a post-mortem found carbon monoxide and 'effects of fire'.
- At the inquest on January 16, the coroner said police were prevented from gathering evidence as interviews were declined, and fire services offered SAFE referrals in November but safe interventions were declined by Michelle McGurry.
- The fatal blaze followed a previous fire six months earlier attributed to a family member, prompting tributes from the local community while investigators and the family face too many unanswered questions.
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New Details Revealed About Death of Girl, 13, Who Was Burned While Sleeping on Her Bunk Bed
Investigators now believe the blaze that killed Layla Allen in April 2025 may have been set intentionally using a lighterMerseyside Police Layla AllenNEED TO KNOWNew details have emerged about the 13-year-old girl who was killed in a house fire in England last yearInvestigators now believe the blaze that killed Layla Allen of Prescot in April 2025 may have been set intentionally using a lighter"There are too many unanswered questions here," the …
Daily Post
Wales OnlineSchoolgirl, 13, died in bed 'set on fire with a lighter'
A coroner said there were 'unanswered questions' about the events leading up to the death of schoolgirl Layla Allen
Schoolgirl, 13, burned to death while sleeping on her bunk bed after it was 'set on fire with cigarette lighter', inquest hears
A schoolgirl was burned to death while asleep on her bunk bed after it was 'set on fire with a cigarette lighter', an inquest heard. Layla Allen, 13, died after the blaze ripped through her family home in Prescot, Merseyside, last year. Firefighters scrambled to the inferno shortly before midnight…
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