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| Patrols after double fatal fire | Patrols after double fatal fire |
| (31 minutes later) | |
| Patrols have been stepped up at a sheltered housing complex where a murder investigation has begun after the death of an elderly couple. | Patrols have been stepped up at a sheltered housing complex where a murder investigation has begun after the death of an elderly couple. |
| The pair, named locally as Kath and Albert Adams, both 77, died after a suspected arson attack in Rugby. | The pair, named locally as Kath and Albert Adams, both 77, died after a suspected arson attack in Rugby. |
| Saturday's fire, which spread from a mobility scooter outside their home in Harold Cox Place, was being connected by police to another fire at the flats. | Saturday's fire, which spread from a mobility scooter outside their home in Harold Cox Place, was being connected by police to another fire at the flats. |
| Police said there was no evidence of any links to anti-social behaviour. | Police said there was no evidence of any links to anti-social behaviour. |
| Patrols were being carried out by police and wardens at the council-owned site. | |
| The second fire at the flats on Monday morning also involved a mobility scooter, but left nobody injured. Both incidents are being treated as arson. | The second fire at the flats on Monday morning also involved a mobility scooter, but left nobody injured. Both incidents are being treated as arson. |
| Warwickshire Police said the death of the couple was being treated as homicide - murder or manslaughter. | Warwickshire Police said the death of the couple was being treated as homicide - murder or manslaughter. |
| 'Distressing time' | 'Distressing time' |
| Det Chief Insp James Essex said although there had been speculation about the incident being linked to anti-social behaviour in the area, it had "no evidence to substantiate that". | Det Chief Insp James Essex said although there had been speculation about the incident being linked to anti-social behaviour in the area, it had "no evidence to substantiate that". |
| "No calls have been made to us to report incidents of this nature and no members of the public have come forward to us to confirm this supposed link," he said. | "No calls have been made to us to report incidents of this nature and no members of the public have come forward to us to confirm this supposed link," he said. |
| Firefighters were first called to the home in Harold Cox Place just before 0300 GMT on Saturday, and both people were treated immediately at the scene for smoke inhalation. | Firefighters were first called to the home in Harold Cox Place just before 0300 GMT on Saturday, and both people were treated immediately at the scene for smoke inhalation. |
| An older picture of the couple and their son Keith has been released | |
| Mr Adams died in hospital and his wife was left in a critical condition but later died. | Mr Adams died in hospital and his wife was left in a critical condition but later died. |
| Steven Shanahan, head of housing for Rugby Borough Council, said he had been to see the flats and spoken to residents and was working with police to reassure people. | Steven Shanahan, head of housing for Rugby Borough Council, said he had been to see the flats and spoken to residents and was working with police to reassure people. |
| He said: "Clearly, this is a distressing time for them, so patrols by the police and the council's community safety wardens will focus on sheltered housing in the borough." | He said: "Clearly, this is a distressing time for them, so patrols by the police and the council's community safety wardens will focus on sheltered housing in the borough." |
| Neighbours at Harold Cox Place have paid tribute to the two people who died. | Neighbours at Harold Cox Place have paid tribute to the two people who died. |
| Kevin White said the community was extremely close and most people knew each other. | Kevin White said the community was extremely close and most people knew each other. |
| "They were lovely, lovely people. It's very upsetting," he said. | "They were lovely, lovely people. It's very upsetting," he said. |
| "We know most people round here, we've lived here longer than anybody. Kath was a keen gardener so I used to take plants over to her. | "We know most people round here, we've lived here longer than anybody. Kath was a keen gardener so I used to take plants over to her. |
| "Albert spent most of his time in a wheelchair but he used to like sitting out in the sun in summer. I just can't get over it." | "Albert spent most of his time in a wheelchair but he used to like sitting out in the sun in summer. I just can't get over it." |
| Betty Woolterton, who lives a few doors down from the couple, added: "They were a nice couple. They'd lived here for quite a long time. | Betty Woolterton, who lives a few doors down from the couple, added: "They were a nice couple. They'd lived here for quite a long time. |
| "They were nice people, very friendly. It's such a shame." | "They were nice people, very friendly. It's such a shame." |
| One flower tribute at the burnt-out flat read: "In loving memory of Albert and Kath. In our thoughts, Warren, Beki, Jack and Megan." | One flower tribute at the burnt-out flat read: "In loving memory of Albert and Kath. In our thoughts, Warren, Beki, Jack and Megan." |
| Another said: "Kath and Albert. So sad. You will be missed." | Another said: "Kath and Albert. So sad. You will be missed." |