Police treating fatal flat fire in Coventry as arson as dead man named - The Coventry Observer

Police treating fatal flat fire in Coventry as arson as dead man named

Coventry Editorial 21st Aug, 2019   0

POLICE say a Coventry fire in which one man was killed is being treated as possible arson.

He has also been named as Malcolm Turner, aged 69, who was found dead yesterday morning in an address in Jenner Street, Foleshill, Coventry.

It is believed the blaze started when a mobility scooter caught fire outside the apartment block.

Police are also investigating links to another fire in Folehill Road on the same day.




Detectives have today confirmed they suspect both blazes were started deliberately.

Fire crews were called at 4.25am on Tuesday after reports the Jenner Street maisonette had gone up in flames.


Resident Mr Turner was found collapsed inside and was pronounced dead at the scene.

A post mortem examination is due to take place tomorrow to determine the precise cause of death.

West Midlands Police said today: “Detectives are looking into whether the scooter was deliberately torched – and have confirmed that a second fire reported 20 minutes later in Foleshill Road is being treated as arson.

“In that incident its understood rubbish, including a mattress, dumped near a multi-occupancy property was set alight before the flames spread to the front door of the terraced home.

“Everyone was evacuated from the address and no-one was injured.”

West Midlands Police Detective Chief Inspector Jim Munro, said: “We are treating the two fires as potentially linked and that both were set intentionally. Clearly lighting fires in residential areas is hugely reckless as the flames can be blown towards homes, putting property and lives at risk.

“Tragically a man has lost his life and we have a specially-trained family liaison officer helping his loves ones at this difficult time.

“If anyone has any information about the fires or saw anything suspicious in the area on Tuesday morning then I’d urge them to make contact.”

People can contact West Midlands Police on 101 or via Live Chat at WMP Online. Alternatively call the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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