SLEEPING soundly side-by-side, the dreams of two best friends soon turned into a real-life nightmare when flames engulfed their room.

Vikki Preston and Rhona Schofield were “inseparable” after meeting at Kersal High School in Salford, Greater Manchester.

Tragically, they became bonded in death as well as life when the 19-year-olds were horrifically killed in a deliberate house fire.

Next month marks the 20 year anniversary of their brutal murder – with Vikki and Rhona’s killer still on the loose.

Greater Manchester Police made several arrests during their investigation but no charges have ever been brought.

Chillingly, officers are certain the culprit – or culprits – lit the fire that night to kill.

The disturbing tale began on May 10, 2005, after both Vikki and Rhona had gone to sleep in a first floor bedroom.

A mystery killer entered the terraced home between 3.40am and 4.10am through the front door and started a fire.

Foam-filled armchairs and sofas in a front and rear lounge quickly ignited – causing the wooden floors beneath to burn through.

Within ten minutes, the downstairs had reached temperatures of 1,000C as the windows the blew out.

Fresh air then rushed into the home and made the flames to spread to the bedroom where Rhona and Vikki were sleeping.

In a desperate bid to save them, Rhona had attempted to close the door to block out the billowing smoke.

The impression she left as she crawled across the floor was still visible after the blaze was extinguished.

Firefighters were scrambled to the scene within minutes of the alarm being raised and battled to rescue the girls.

Tragically, neither could be saved and were both declared dead at the scene after inhaling toxic fumes.

Experts proved the fire was started deliberately – leading to police launching a murder probe.

But the intensity of the flames had destroyed any potential forensic evidence.

At an inquest in 2007, a breakthrough came when the circumstances leading up to the horror were revealed.

The court was told a series of rows had broken out at the address between a group of people including Rhona and Vikki.

They both remained at the home, while the others who were with them all left for the night.

One woman, who was pregnant at the time, had allegedly told the two teenagers she was “going to kill them”.

Police managed to identify two prime suspects but without any evidence, they have never been charged.

In 2021, they released a series of haunting images showing the devastation of the fire.

A scorched teddy bear was among the items left intact after flames gutted the home.

An area of flooring where Rhona tried to drag herself to safety also remained untouched.

The downstairs of the property was left blackened by soot – with the shell of an armchair that was torched still visible.

But even the chilling sight of the home where both girls died was not enough to prompt anyone to come forward.

Tragically, Rhona’s dad Peter Schofield had to identify his daughter – a torment he lived with for the rest of his life.

He passed away in October 2013, followed by Rhona’s mum Doreen six years later.

Both went to their graves without ever managing to get justice for their daughter.

In 2016 Vikki’s mum Jacqueline told the Manchester Evening News: “In my lifetime I hope I see justice. There are people out there that know who did it. Their loyalties are wrong.

“I often wonder where Vikki would be now; would she be married, would she have given us grandchildren? But we will never know because of someone’s selfishness.”

The investigation into Vikki and Rhona’s murders remains open 20 years later.

Martin Bottomley, head of GMP’s Cold Case Unit, told The Sun Online: “Almost certainly someone living in this community knows what happened and why that house was targeted.

“What we need is a witness that will tell us in a statement what they know.

“The pain and heartbreak that Vikki and Rhona’s family and friends have had to go through is unimaginable.

“We will never give up searching for answers, and we’re determined to find those responsible for the girls’ deaths and bring them to justice.

“A £50,000 reward remains on offer for information leading to their arrest and conviction.”

Anyone with information can call GMP on 101 or contact Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.