A THREE-YEAR-OLD girl died after her aunt’s “bitter” ex-boyfriend started a fire at her home, a court heard.

Francesca Bimpson suffered massive burns when she was unable to escape the smoke and flames caused by the arson attack, Liverpool Crown Court was told.

Graham Heaps, 44, a labourer and the ex-partner of Francesca’s aunt, Linda Skelhorne, is accused of deliberately starting the blaze in a revenge attack against the family.

The prosecution claims he poured petrol through the front door of the house in Norwood Grove, Everton, and set it alight late at night when Francesca and her family were asleep.

Her mother, Eleanor Skelhorne, 37, suffered minor injuries and smoke inhalation in the fire and her father, Kieron Bimpson, also 37, suffered leg injuries jumping from a first-floor window at the house.

Francesca’s sisters Anne-Marie, 17 months, Christina, eight, and 14-year-old brother, Kieron, were treated for the effects of smoke.

Mr Bimpson, a fitness instructor, had jumped out of the house first so he could catch the children when they jumped.

But Francesca was left trapped inside.

Fire crews arrived at the house as Ms Skelhorne was screaming from the street: “Get my baby out. My baby is inside”.

Four firefighters entered the burning property to search for Francesca and found her lying on her bed with 85% burns.

Brian Cummings, prosecuting, said the break-up between Heaps and Miss Skelhorne had been difficult and the defendant continued to have feelings for Francesca's aunt.