A HEAVILY pregnant woman seriously hurt in an arson attack on her home was last night still unaware that her 11-year-old son died in the blaze.

While Janine Dodd's condition continues to improve, and she is now able to breathe on her own, police believe it will be some time before she is well enough to be interviewed.

Detective Superintendent Barbara Franklin, who is leading the investigation, yesterday spoke to the Press outside the burnt-out house on the Deerness Estate, in Hendon, Sunderland.

The 29-year-old was left in a critical condition after leaping from an upstairs window to escape the fire.

But her son, Dean Pike, a pupil at Southmoor School, was trapped inside, and firefighters found his body on a landing.

With flowers and soft toys mounting in the front garden in Mordey Close, Det Supt Franklin expressed her concern at the poor response to police appeals for information.

There have been five murders in the area over the past three years, and rumours are circulating around the estate that Dean's death is connected with previous killings in the area.

"These rumours are unhelpful and could be creating a climate where people are afraid to come forward," said Det Supt Franklin, who said there was no link to the previous killings.

She pleaded with the community: "Please don't be frightened to come forward. Please seek deep inside yourselves.

"Remember, Dean was just 11-years-old, a happy boy who looked a bit like Harry Potter."

She revealed that police had a number of lines of inquiry but still had not established a motive for "this horrendous attack".

The inquiry, she said, is centred in the Hendon area.

She revealed that three men, who had had relationships with Ms Dodd, had been questioned by police.

One of those is the father of Ms Dodd's unborn baby, who came forward voluntarily.

She said police were anxious to talk to three other men and anyone else who may have had a relationship with Ms Dodd.

As officers carried out inquiries on the estate, Det Supt Franklin spoke of a barbecue in a neighbouring street before the arson attack, and said she believed someone may have seen something that could be helpful to the inquiry.

Police also revealed that, on June 23, Ms Dodd had been to the coast with close friends, returning home about 9.45pm. At 10.20pm, she had texted her mother to say she was going to bed. The fire occurred at 12.55am.

A number of items have been recovered from the scene and have been sent away for forensic tests.

Det Supt Franklin added: "This was a terrible incident in which an 11-year-old boy has died and his mother has been badly injured.

"I believe the answer to this case lies within the community itself, and would urge anyone with information to come forward.

"All information will be treated in the strictest confidence."

Anyone who can help should telephone 0191-563 6100.