Woman Charged with Murder in Daughter's Fatal Fire

A 45-year-old woman has been charged with murder and arson with intent to endanger life in connection with the death of her four-year-old daughter in a house fire in Manchester nearly 10 months ago. Carrin Wibier, of Gateshead Close in Rusholme, faces the charges over the March 2, 2025, blaze that killed LesmaRose Wibier. She was remanded in custody following her arrest and is scheduled to appear at Manchester Magistrates Court on January 7.

The fire broke out at the family's redbrick home on Gateshead Close around 12:35 p.m. on that Sunday. Emergency services responded quickly, with crews from four Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service stations extinguishing the flames. Paramedics rushed LesmaRose to a hospital, where she succumbed to her injuries a short time later despite efforts to save her.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the charges on January 6, stating they relate directly to the young girl's death. A police spokesperson emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing, with no indication of a wider threat to the community and no other suspects being sought. At the time of the incident, Detective Chief Inspector Charlotte Whalley described it as an "awful...