FAMILY and friends have travelled from across the county to hold a bedside vigil for Katie Perkins.

Seventeen-year-old Katie, who was trapped in the burning house in Malvern with her mother, step-father and two brothers, is on a life-support machine fighting for her life.

Her uncle, Jim Loveridge, said family had travelled from all over the county to be by Katie’s side and they were all praying she would recover.

“Everybody has got their fingers crossed and hoping she will come through it,” Mr Loveridge said.

He added that doctors at Worcestershire Royal Hospital in Worcester, were preparing the family for the worst and discussing the possibility of switching off her life support machine.

On the social networking site Bebo friends have been leaving messages for the teenager.

Her cousin Stacey Loveridge wrote: "Katie, I hope you pull through, I dunno what I would do if you died as well.”

And a friend called Chez wrote: “I really hope you pull though Katie we need ya, please don’t give up bab, see you soon k xxxx.”

Worcester News: Richard Perkins
TRAGIC: Richard Perkins

Thirty firefighters tackled the blaze in The Glade, Malvern, which started in the early hours of Monday morning.

The fire, which is being treated as arson, claimed the life of Katie’s stepfather, 37-year-old Richard Perkins.

His wife and Katie’s mother, 40-year-old Roseann Perkins, has now been taken off a ventilator and is beginning to talk. She is currently unaware that her husband has died.

Eighteen-year-old Ben Perkins was also being treated at the hospital for smoke inhalation.

“Ben is coming out of a coma and it looks as though he will be OK,” said Mr Loveridge.

The fourth person to escape the blaze was 22-year-old Shaun Perkins, who was discharged from hospital soon after.

“He is lost at the moment, he has nowhere to live and is just trying to get through it,” Mr Loveridge said.

As your Worcester News went to press one man and a teenage boy were being questioned by police on suspicion of murder.

Police are continuing to appeal for witnesses and Detective Superintendent Andy Rowsell, head of West Mercia police major incident unit, said: “We would still most certainly like to hear from anyone who has information which they think may be useful to the enquiry.

“Please call 08457 444888 or get in touch with Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555111.

“Do not assume that others will call the police. Your information may be vital in the work being done to continue to piece together what happened.”

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