Girl, 4, dies in Manchester house fire with woman arrested - LIVE updates from scene

A four-year-old girl has died in a house fire in Manchester today.

Police were called to Gateshead Close, near Rusholme, this afternoon. Tragically, the girl died a short time later.

Emergency services are currently at the scene of the serious incident near Rusholme. Roads have been closed in the surrounding area - with Parkfield Street and Gateshead Close understood to be included in a wide cordon. The scene is close to Whitworth Park, off Oxford Road, and Parkfield Street runs off Moss Lane East in Manchester.

A GMP spokesperson said: "At around 12.35pm today (2 March 2025), emergency services responded to a fire at a property on Gateshead Close, Manchester.

"Crews were quickly able to extinguish the fire and bring out a four-year-old girl, who had suffered serious injuries in the incident.

"Sadly, despite the best efforts of all those involved, the girl died from her injuries in hospital a short time after.

"A woman, aged 44, has been arrested on suspicion of arson with the intent to endanger life. She is known to the child and there is no wider threat to the community."

We'll be bringing you live updates in our live blog below.

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service has issued a statement.

Ben Levy, GMFRS 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