Woman held on suspicion of murder after pensioner, 78, dies in Essex flat blaze
Neighbours shocked by OAP's tragic death in house fire
A WOMAN has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an elderly man died in a flat blaze in Essex at the weekend.
Cops and fire crews launched an investigation after the fire tore through a flat in Rochdale Way, Colchester, in the early hours of yesterday morning.
Emergency services were called at around 1.15am after receiving reports that a 78-year-old man was trapped inside the building.
One brave neighbour even tried to get inside twice in a bid to rescue the OAP but by the time he was found by firefighters he was unresponsive and tragically died at the scene.
Following the blaze a 42-year-old woman from Colchester was arrested and is being held by cops on suspicion of the man's murder.
DCI Stephen Jennings, from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, said: “We are looking to establish the exact cause of the blaze and how it started.
“The victim and the suspect are known to each other.
“I would urge anybody that has any information that may help us establish the facts to contact my team as soon as possible.”
Stacey McShane, of Forest Road, who lives near to the rear of the flat with her partner James and her two boys, told the : “We have just moved in, this is a big shock as we didn’t even realise it was happening that night.
“When James went out with the kids in the morning, he noticed the building was completely burnt out.
“We obviously saw the police car as well, it’s just horrible to hear the man has died.
“The fire was very close and we had no idea - if it had spread...we have two young boys in the house. It’s very scary actually.”
Another neighbour added: “There was at least one ambulance and a couple of fire engines.
“I didn’t know the man who died, but God bless him, it is very sad.
“It could have been anything which started it, it’s scary.”
We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun Online news team? Email us at tips@the-sun.co.uk or call 0207 782 4368
