The tragedy which shocked South Tyneside
IT was a tragedy which sent shockwaves through South Tyneside.
Popular sisters Tatum Leah, 14, and Demi Jade, 12, died as flames engulfed their home in minutes.
Their parents, John and Anita Spence, were forced to jump out of first-floor windows after making desperate attempts to save their daughters.
Just hours later, while Mrs Spence attempted to come to terms with their deaths, father John was fighting for his life in hospital and son Shane, then 17, was being quizzed by murder detectives.
Hundreds of emotional family and friends placed flowers outside the house while forensic officers investigated.
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A heartbroken Mrs Spence travelled to her home for the first time two days after the blaze.
She was inconsolable as she laid two pink teddy bears, balloons and flowers outside the house.
In the days following, two special assemblies were held at Harton Technology College, where the girls attended.
The girls' schoolfriends raised 1,000 for the grieving parents in a sponsored pyjama walk.
Just a week after being released from hospital, Mr Spence, a former doorman, joined Anita to say their final goodbyes to their daughters at their funeral at St Lawrence The Martyr Church in Horsley Hill.
The service was followed by interment at Harton Cemetery, where both girls were buried – Tatum Leah in a pink coffin and Demi Jade in yellow – their favourite colours.
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Weather for Jarrow
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Heavy sleet
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
