Firefighters devastated at failing to save sisters

Feb 1 2008 by Sam Wonfor, The Journal

FIREFIGHTERS who battled to save two young sisters trapped in their burning home had been devastated their rescue bid failed, a murder trial jury heard yesterday.

Tatum Leah Spence, 14, and her 12-year-old sister Demi-Jade both died in the blaze which swept through their home in Lisle Road, South Shields, in April last year in the early hours.

In a statement read to the jury at Newcastle Crown Court, firefighter Colin Whitfield told how he and colleagues braved intense heat, flames, dense black smoke and at times zero-visibility to locate the children on the upper floors.

He said one body was found in the loft and the second body in the front bedroom.

“I can say, if it is any consolation to the Spence family, the firefighters who worked as a team worked to the highest professional standards to rescue their daughters and we are all devastated at the outcome,” he said. The girls’ brother, Shane Spence, is accused of deliberately starting the fire, using petrol to set a sofa alight in the living room.

The 18-year-old denies two counts of murder and the attempted murders of his parents John and Anita Spence, who survived, although Mr Spence was severely burnt trying to rescue his daughters.

Police officer Jonathan Dent told the court how Shane Spence had arrived in the street after a cordon was set up. “He appeared very upset and he was crying,” he said.

“He was trying to push me aside and get up to the house that was on fire. I had to physically stop him. His eyes appeared to be filling up with tears. He said ‘What’s happened? What’s happened? Is everyone OK?’”

The trial continues today.