Three arrests after mother dies in firework blaze
Police have arrested three people as they investigate murder after a woman died in a fire at her Cornwall council home.
Mary Fox, 59, was overcome by smoke and flames after pushing her 17-year-old son Raum to safety, it has been reported.
An 18-year-old man and two 17-year-old youths are being held in custody by Devon and Cornwall Police and are awaiting interview.
It is believed the mother and son became trapped in a bedroom after a lit firework was pushed through the letterbox of their home in Wallace Road on bonfire night.
Detective chief inspector Paul Burgan, senior investigating officer for this investigation, said: ‘We are investigating some positive leads from the community in Bodmin and the investigation team are determined to bring whoever did this to justice to ensure that the family get some kind of closure after this awful and tragic incident.’
Cornwall Fire and Rescue released a statement saying: ‘On arrival, crews were informed that a person was still in the building; they were faced with a fully developed fire which had engulfed a three storey building and was spreading to adjacent properties.
‘Whilst tackling the fire and searching the building, the crews found a 59-year-old female who was confirmed deceased at the scene. Two fire fighters were treated at scene for the effects of heat exhaustion as a result of their efforts in fighting the fire and searching for the casualty.’ The fire authority has a specialist fire investigation team working with the police.
It is believed Mary Fox also had four daughters and her son, who had learning difficulties, was a victim of bullying at school.
Cornwall council leader Alec Robertson said: ‘Everyone is shocked by the incident and extends their sympathies to the family of Mrs Fox.
‘The council is working with the police in any way it can to assist in their investigations.’
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Readers' comments (3)
Peter | 11/11/2009 10:04 am
This is very very sad and tragic. Any form of bullying is terrible and I only hope that the 'system' had to not failed Mrs Fox and family!
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Melvin Bone | 11/11/2009 10:13 am
Good to hear that this has been tackled quickly.
I hope the culprits are decent enough to show some remorse for the terrible consequences of there thoughtless actions.
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kass | 11/11/2009 10:27 am
Firstable I think fireworks and bonfires belong to another age, and should be banned... they produce carbon and pollutants for a start...
I saw the news the other day and it was reported by neighbours there was ongoing bullying of this woman and this woman was highly charitable and ready to help others.
As usual are the most innocent and victim social tenants that pay so high - you can't pay higher than your life - for the ineffectiveness of police and council and all those others who are paid to to avoid this and leaving relatives and friends lives ruined behind... Now they will say they followed procedures and they did all they could... Now relatives and friends of this woman have to go on paying rents and taxers to pay for the salaries for those who did not save her... Surely it is totally immoral... If someone should have intervened, be police or landlord or council, and did not they should be prosecuted for criminal negligence...
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