Arson probe toddler is critical

Forensic examinations of the scene have been carried out

A house fire which left a two-year-old girl critically ill and two teenage boys injured is believed to have been started deliberately.

Greater Manchester Police are treating the fire at the terraced property on Muriel Street, Heywood, as suspicious.

The two 16-year-old boys, who had been babysitting the little girl, escaped but were injured as they fled.

The toddler was rescued by fire crews and taken by ambulance to hospital, where she is in a critical condition.

A dog was also rescued from the house but died at the scene.

The two youths were taken to Rochdale Infirmary for treatment to severe cuts and possible broken bones.

Isolated incident

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Fire Service said one of the boys had jumped from an upstairs bedroom window.

The toddler was initially taken to Rochdale Infirmary, but later transferred to Royal Manchester Children's Hospital.

A joint investigation between police and the fire service is being carried out, but officers believe its origins are suspicious.

Det Supt Serena Kennedy, leading the investigation, said: "Three young people have been hospitalised as a result of this fire, which has had a devastating effect on the family and the local community.

"We're doing all we can to find who is responsible for causing these serious injuries to children, so I'd urge anyone who has any information to come forward and talk to us.

"The investigation is still in its early stages, but we are viewing this as an isolated incident."