A 13-year-old girl who died in a Merseyside house fire has been pictured for the first time as her family paid tribute to their “shining light”.
Layla Allen died in the blaze of a first-floor rear bedroom of a mid-terraced house in Kingsway, Prescot, on Wednesday evening.
A man, woman and five children were able to escape from the home near Liverpool.
The fire was put out by around 12.30am on Thursday and neighbouring properties were checked for fire and smoke, police said. A joint investigation involving the force and Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service is ongoing.
In a tribute issued today, Layla’s family said: "Layla was a shining light in the lives of everyone who knew her. She was funny, charismatic, and so quick-witted.
“[She was] always ready with a joke or a clever remark that brought smiles to those around her. With an infectious energy and a heart full of love, she had a way of making every moment brighter.
"She was a true friend to so many, always bringing laughter and warmth wherever she went. She had a passion for TikTok, makeup, and drawing—expressing her creativity in ways that made her uniquely Layla.
"Layla was a typical, happy, and full-of-life 13-year-old, filled with dreams, laughter and love. She was cherished beyond words by her mum, dad, brothers, sisters and grandparents who adored her deeply. She touched the hearts of everyone she met and left a lasting impact on so many.
"We thank everyone for their kind words and flowers. As a family we ask for everyone to respect our privacy and leave us to grieve at this truly sad time."
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