An arrest has been made after a four-year-old girl tragically died in a house fire near Rusholme at the weekend.
Emergency services were called to a fire at a property on Gateshead Close at around 12.35pm on Sunday.
The fire was quickly extinguished and the girl brought out of the property.
Sadly she had suffered serious injuries in the incident and died in hospital a short time after the blaze.
Police have now confirmed that a woman, aged 44, has been arrested on suspicion of arson with the intent to endanger life.
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Officers say that the woman is known to the child and that there is no wider threat to the community.
A scene remains in place around Gateshead Close as specialist officers continue to investigate the full circumstances.
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Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley, from GMP’s Major Incident Team, said: “This awful incident has seen the tragic death of a young girl, and I would like to send my condolences to her friends and family. Numerous emergency services attended the scene and all did their utmost best to save her.
“A woman has been arrested and I can confirm that she is known to the child. There is no wider threat to the community and no one else is currently being sought in connection with the investigation.
“These tragic incidents will of course naturally cause concern, but I want to reassure the public that we are fully investigating all circumstances of the fire, and will leave no stone unturned as we carry out this work.
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“As this continues, I would ask anyone with any information about today’s events to please get in touch with officers. You can do this via 101, or on our Live Chat service at gmp.police.uk, quoting log 1314 of 02/03/25. You can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
Today, crews attended a fire at a house on Gateshead Close, Manchester.
The condolences of everyone at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service are with the family and friends of the young girl who tragically lost her life following this incident. pic.twitter.com/x0j3dhxRov
— Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue Service (@manchesterfire) March 2, 2025
Ben Levy, Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service Area Manager, said: “Today (Sunday, 2 March), crews from Gorton, Moss Side, Salford, and Withington Fire Stations attended a fire at a house on Gateshead Close, Manchester.
“I want to pass on the condolences of everyone at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service to the family and friends of the young girl who tragically lost her life following this incident. Our thoughts are with them during this sad and difficult time.
“We will work closely with Greater Manchester Police to support their investigation into this tragic incident.”
Labrador puppy dies after being ‘deliberately thrown’ into Greater Manchester marina
Daisy Jackson
A five-month-old Labrador puppy has died after being ‘deliberately thrown’ into a marina in Greater Manchester last week, suffering ‘multiple fractures’.
The tiny pooch was initially pulled to safety by a passing member of the public, who found her struggling in the water between two boats.
The black puppy, who was nicknamed Peggy by RSCPA staff, had suffered such severe breaks to her jaw that she would have been unable to eat or drink and was humanely put to sleep.
The RSPCA is now urging local businesses to check their CCTV for any information relating to this shocking incident, and for any witnesses or people who recognise Peggy to come forward.
The puppy was thrown into the water at the Portland Basin Marina in Ashton-under-Lyne last Wednesday 12 March, and was pulled from the water by a passer-by at around 3.20pm.
Peggy was found near the steel footbridge with no sign of anyone nearby.
When Peggy was found, she was lethargic and extremely cold, and though she was stabilised and transferred to the RSPCA’s Greater Manchester Animal Hospital later that day, her serious and inoperable injuries led to her being put to sleep.
Her jaw appeared to have been prised open, leaving her tongue hanging out and the poor puppy suffering.
Peggy was not microchipped and it’s not known if her injuries happened as a result of the fall, or if they occurred beforehand.
Labrador puppy Peggy dies after being ‘deliberately thrown’ into Greater Manchester marina. Credit: RSPCA
RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Kate Sargent, who is investigating, said: “Everyone who has been involved in this terrible incident has been left feeling shocked and saddened by what happened to Peggy.
“It’s hard to understand how anyone could do something like this to such a young dog. We’d like to extend our sincere thanks to the kind people who got her out of the water and sought help, and to the veterinary teams who saw her.
“We’d appeal to anyone who recognises Peggy or who was at the marina at the time to get in touch so we can progress this investigation further. We are also asking nearby businesses and homes in the surrounding area to check their CCTV and video doorbells.”
Anyone with first-hand information is urged to contact the RSPCA’s appeals line, in confidence, on 0300 123 8018 quoting reference number 01467665.
NHS slam ‘unacceptable’ rise in physical violence and sexual assault towards frontline staff
Emily Sergeant
Frontline NHS staff are facing a rise in physical violence, inappropriate sexual behaviour, and discrimination at the hands of members of the public.
According to the shocking revelations from the latest annual NHS staff survey published last week, around one in seven NHS staff (14.38%) experienced some from of physical violence directed at them from patients, their relatives, or other members of the public in 2024.
The report revealed that the number of attacks on staff has increased by nearly 14% since 2023.
Staff experiencing discrimination at work reached also reached its highest level in five years, with more than half (54%) saying the discrimination they received from patients and the public was based on their ethnic background.
One in 12 (8.82%) NHS workers experienced unwanted sexual behaviour in 2024, which included offensive comments, touching, and even assault.
Frontline NHS staff are facing a rise in physical violence at the hands of the public / Credit: Stephen Andrews (via Unsplash)
On top of these findings from the staff survey, the national education and training survey – which was also published last week, and seeks to hear the thoughts and experiences of those currently training within the medical field – found that 13% of learners said they experienced or witnessed forms of ‘unwanted, harmful, or inappropriate’ sexual behaviour by patients.
A whopping 744,358 NHS staff members took part in the 2024 survey, which is the highest ever level in staff in its 20-year history.
The survey gives a snapshot of what it’s like to work in the NHS, right from the beginning of a career, throughout their working lives, and into retirement, and are used by NHS organisations to ‘make things better’ for staff and patients.
They’re also being subjected to inappropriate sexual behaviour and discrimination / Credit: rawpixel
“It’s totally unacceptable that NHS staff are facing physical violence, sexual assault, and discrimination from patients and the public while at work,” commented Dr Navina Evans, who is the Chief Workforce, Training and Education Officer for NHS England, as the survey findings were published.
“We know that the most important way to stamp out incidents of unacceptable behaviour is to give people the confidence to report it, and it is important that the voice of every member of NHS staff is heard through these surveys and acted upon.
“The NHS sexual safety charter has also now been adopted by every integrated care board and NHS trust in England to enforce a zero-tolerance approach to letting unwanted behaviours go unaddressed”.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd March 2025 
