DYSON ALLEN GUILTY OF MANSLAUGHTER IN FRECKLETON FIRE THAT KILLED FOUR CHILDREN

In a tragic incident that shocked the community of Freckleton, Lancashire, Dyson Allen, aged 19, was found guilty of manslaughter in connection with a devastating fire that claimed the lives of four young siblings. The incident occurred on the night of January 7, 2012, within a family home, leaving a trail of grief and heartbreak that continues to resonate in the area.

Four-year-old twins Holly and Ella Smith, along with their two-year-old brother Jordan and their older brother Reece, aged 19, all perished due to smoke inhalation during the blaze. The fire broke out in a bedroom wardrobe of the dormer bungalow, where the children had been sleeping. Despite efforts by Reece, who attempted to rescue his siblings, all four succumbed to the toxic fumes before help could arrive.

Dyson Allen, who was 19 at the time, had initially denied any involvement in starting the fire. However, at Preston Crown Court, he was convicted of four counts of manslaughter but was cleared of the more serious charge of murder. The court heard that the fire was ignited during a chaotic, drug-fueled birthday party attended by Allen and members of Michelle Smith’s family. The party was characterized by heavy drinking and cannabis use, which impaired the witnesses' recollections of the events.

According to court reports, Allen had been drinking vodka since lunchtime and was preparing to use a cannabis pipe or bong when he allegedly started the fire. The incident occurred in a bedroom where the children were sleeping upstairs. Witnesses described Allen as being intoxicated or under the influence of cannabis at the time. The court was told that Allen had a history of setting fires during his school years and was known to police for such behavior.

During the trial, it was revealed that Allen kept belongings in the younger children’s room after staying at the family’s house. The family had allowed teenagers to smoke cannabis in an outside building known as ‘the chamber’. On the night of the fire, Allen was reportedly preparing a ‘killer’ bong mixture, which he later claimed was not intended to cause harm. The alarm was raised when Allen ran downstairs shouting ‘Fire!’, prompting Reece to attempt a rescue of his siblings. Despite the presence of smoke alarms on the stairs, Reece had removed them days prior because they kept beeping.

Allen claimed he was upstairs looking for a friend when he saw an orange glow under the door, suggesting he did not intentionally set the fire. However, police and fire investigators quickly suspected him, as he was the only adult upstairs at the time. An expert testified that the fire likely originated from clothes in the wardrobe being set alight.

Following the verdict, members of Michelle Smith’s family expressed their relief and grief. Some shouted ‘Yes!’ in response to the conviction, while a woman believed to be Allen’s mother shouted, ‘It’s all her fault. If she had not had that party, none of this would have happened.’ Michelle Smith, who has since given birth to her ninth child, was described as having had three different fathers for the children who died. The family’s tragedy was compounded by the fact that the children’s father was not present during the court proceedings.

Reece’s father, Martin Goulding, and Michelle Smith issued a joint statement expressing their sorrow and gratitude for Reece’s bravery. They said, ‘We’ll never know the reason our children were taken away from us. We would like to pay tribute to Reece, who paid the ultimate price for trying to rescue his brothers and sisters and for that we will be eternally grateful and proud.’

Dyson Allen, who has no fixed address, is scheduled to be sentenced in September. The court’s judgment underscores the severity of the tragedy and the consequences of reckless behavior fueled by alcohol and drugs in a community still mourning the loss of four innocent children.