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| Mystery over killing of couple | |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| It is not clear why an elderly couple who died in a suspected arson attack at a sheltered housing complex were targeted, a council leader has said. | |
| Kath and Albert Adams, both 77, died when a fire spread from a mobility scooter to their home in Rugby, Warwickshire, on Saturday. | |
| Police are doing all they can to ensure there are no further attacks, said Rugby council leader Craig Humphrey. | |
| The couple's deaths are being treated as homicide - murder or manslaughter. | |
| The fire is being connected by police to another fire at the flats on Monday morning, which also involved a mobility scooter. Nobody was injured in that incident. | |
| Police patrols | |
| Mr Humphrey said: "We don't understand why it's happened to them and why they've been targeted. | |
| "Obviously the police are doing all they can to uncover evidence to make sure that this doesn't happen again and that the people are brought to justice, if it is indeed arson. | |
| Albert spent most of his time in a wheelchair but he used to like sitting out in the sun in summer Kevin White, neighbour | |
| "That is only a theory at the moment. We're not certain." | |
| Patrols are being carried out by police and wardens at the council-owned site. | Patrols are being carried out by police and wardens at the council-owned site. |
| 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. The couple were treated at the scene for the effects of smoke inhalation. | |
| The fire spread from a mobility scooter | The fire spread from a mobility scooter |
| Mr Adams died in hospital. His wife was critically injured and died later. | Mr Adams died in hospital. His wife was critically injured and died later. |
| Jack Williams, 90, whose mobility scooter was involved in Monday morning's fire, said he felt the people who targeted him were sad. | |
| He said: "I feel sorry for them. They're sad, sad people. Whether they've been upset by somebody in the past I don't know." | |
| 'Lovely 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. | 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." |
| Errol Thompson said: "I used to see them going along the road with their little white dog, so we knew them from that respect." | Errol Thompson said: "I used to see them going along the road with their little white dog, so we knew them from that respect." |
| 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." |