A man has denied killing four siblings in a house fire in Freckleton.
Dyson Allen, 19, appeared by videolink at Preston Crown Court today to enter pleas relating to the deaths of Reece Smith, 19, four-year-old twins Holly and Ella Smith, and Jordan Smith, aged two, at their home in Lytham Road, Freckleton on January 7 last year.
The children died of smoke inhalation after the fire broke out at the family’s bungalow.
Investigators confirmed the blaze started in an upstairs wardrobe at the property.
Allen, wearing a dark top, spoke only to confirm his name and enter not guilty pleas during the brief hearing today.
Members of the Smith family, including the children’s mother Michelle, filled the public gallery to hear Allen enter his pleas.
They maintained a dignified silence as the man accused of killing their family members replied “not guilty” to four charges of murder and four charges of manslaughter.
Allen, of no fixed address, has been remanded in custody and will return to court to stand trial on June 4.