MORECAMBE family's fresh start in Scotland has ended in tragedy after their three young children died in a house fire. The Risk family moved to Airdrie from the West End of Morecambe three weeks ago. A fire broke out at their flat on Monday morning and, despite desperate attempts by firefighters to save the lives of the three children, Scott, five, and Mark, four, died at the scene.

The youngest, two-year-old Adam, died on Tuesday at Monklands Hospital, Airdrie.

The parents, Scott, 31, and Susan, 27, jumped from a first floor window as thick, black smoke engulfed the premises. They were treated in hospital for minor injuries and were at the bedside of Adam in intensive care when he died.

The family moved back to their native Scotland looking for work and their new neighbours battled against intense heat and smoke in a rescue bid.

Neighbour John White, 67, whose house overlooks the back of the flat, said he saw the parents leap from the smoke-filled block of flats. He said: "There was thick black smoke belching out of the window. It was an horrendous sight. The mother and father had no chance of saving the kids and had to jump to save their own lives."

Another neighbour, Tony Chambers, was awoken by the Risk family screaming for help. He said: "I ran outside into the garden and saw a man and woman standing at the window screaming for help. They were shouting over and over again to get the kids out.

"I ran round to the front of the house where other neighbours by this time were kicking in the front door. About three of us tried to force our way in but we were beaten back."

A Larnarkshire Fireman said: "A lot of the fire crew were in tears."

The Risk family lived above a shop in Carleton Street, Morecambe, before heading north.

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