The family of a "lovely" grandad who died in hospital after a horrific arson attack on his home have demanded "swift justice".
George Redmond was in bed asleep alongside Mary, his wife of 52 years, when their home in Dorien Road, Old Swan, was set alight at around 3.20am on Thursday, September 1. Merseyside Police have confirmed the fire was started deliberately and the ECHO has been told a "petrol can" was left on the driveway of the home by eyewitnesses.
Residents in the street told the ECHO they are "absolutely certain" the attack was a case of mistaken identity and cannot think why anyone would harm the couple.
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George and Mary escaped the house after neighbours hammered on their windows to raise the alarm, but the ECHO understands 76-year-old George fell on the stairs and suffered serious injuries. He died in hospital on September 16.
Today George's family released a statement paying tribute to the dad-of-three and a grandad-of-six. They said: "With extreme sadness we announce the death of a lovely husband, dad and granddad, George Redmond, who died suddenly on September 16 in hospital.
"He was making great progress in his rehabilitation and was already mobile and regaining his independence, so his sudden death was unexpected and utterly tragic and we as a family are absolutely struggling to come to terms with it all. We are beyond heartbroken and hope whoever is responsible for this appalling act is swiftly brought to justice.
"George leaves behind his much loved wife Mary to whom he was married for 52 amazing years and three much loved daughters, Kathryn, Karyn and Angela, as well as six grandchildren – and not forgetting Belle, his beloved cockapoo.
"We will love and miss him forever and hope there is a steady supply of custard creams wherever he is now. Rest peacefully George Redmond. 1946 – 2022."
Some reports suggested the suspects used a "petrol bomb" to start the blaze, but the ECHO now understands a petrol can was visible on the drive when neighbours rushed to warn the couple.
One neighbour told the ECHO: "They were one of the families who sold up when they were purchasing the land for Edge Lane so they have been her for 10 or 12 years. George was quite a quiet man but he would always say hello. He was an avid gardener, he loved being in his garden.
"It was definitely mistaken identity. It's happened before in this street, someone torched my car back in 2009. There are certain people in this area who think they are more than what they are, they think they are gangsters."
Another said: "I used to walk the dog with George, we'd talk about the football and things like that. He was an Evertonian, he was just a very quiet fella. There's no way at all anybody would want to hurt George and Mary, they were just a quiet couple.
"It's absolutely terrible, it frightens you to death."
Merseyside Police are still hunting for suspects and detectives have expanded their investigation following George's death. The force says a post-mortem examination has taken place to confirm a cause of death and the force is awaiting the results.
Detective Inspector Katie Coote said: “We have broadened the investigation into his death and his family have been informed. They are being supported by our specially trained liaison officers.
“Following a joint investigation with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service we have established that the fire was caused deliberately. We are appealing for witnesses who were in the area at that time and saw something suspicious to please come forward and help us with the investigation.
“I would urge those who have not already spoken to police who witnessed what happened or who captured the incident on CCTV or dashcam footage to contact us.”
Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information can contact Merseyside Police by Direct Message on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’, or by calling 101, quoting reference 22000649658.
You can also contact the independent charity Crime stoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form.
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