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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Man arrested over fatal Midlands fires | Man arrested over fatal Midlands fires |
| (30 days later) | |
| A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a man died and dozens of people had to be evacuated from their homes during a series of fires in Willenhall, West Midlands, early on Monday. | A 20-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life after a man died and dozens of people had to be evacuated from their homes during a series of fires in Willenhall, West Midlands, early on Monday. |
| West Midlands police said the dead man was found after a blaze in a maisonnette, one of three fires reported in the area over half an hour. | West Midlands police said the dead man was found after a blaze in a maisonnette, one of three fires reported in the area over half an hour. |
| Emergency services arrived at the scene in Southey Close at 2.15am to find the flats on fire. The fire appeared to have spread from a wheelie bin near the building, according to a police statement. | Emergency services arrived at the scene in Southey Close at 2.15am to find the flats on fire. The fire appeared to have spread from a wheelie bin near the building, according to a police statement. |
| Some people had to be rescued from the flats and a total of about 50 were evacuated amid concerns for their safety. A man found collapsed inside the building was pronounced dead at the scene. He has yet to be identified. | Some people had to be rescued from the flats and a total of about 50 were evacuated amid concerns for their safety. A man found collapsed inside the building was pronounced dead at the scene. He has yet to be identified. |
| One woman was taken to hospital with an ankle injury, police said. | One woman was taken to hospital with an ankle injury, police said. |
| A small number of people had to be rescued from another fire reported 20 minutes later in Wychbold Way. This also appeared to have been started in a bin. A third fire in bushes was spotted by officers on patrol on Crab Lane. | A small number of people had to be rescued from another fire reported 20 minutes later in Wychbold Way. This also appeared to have been started in a bin. A third fire in bushes was spotted by officers on patrol on Crab Lane. |
| Police investigating the fires arrested a man at an address in New Invention, near Walsall, soon afterwards. He was expected to be questioned later on Monday. | Police investigating the fires arrested a man at an address in New Invention, near Walsall, soon afterwards. He was expected to be questioned later on Monday. |
| Detective Inspector Warren Hines, from the force's major investigation team, said: "We have launched a full investigation into the series of events this morning, which resulted in the death of a man in one of the fires. At this early stage he is yet to be identified and we are in the process of locating his family. | Detective Inspector Warren Hines, from the force's major investigation team, said: "We have launched a full investigation into the series of events this morning, which resulted in the death of a man in one of the fires. At this early stage he is yet to be identified and we are in the process of locating his family. |
| "A number of scenes are currently cordoned off whilst we carry out forensic searches of the area," Hines said. | "A number of scenes are currently cordoned off whilst we carry out forensic searches of the area," Hines said. |
| "We now appeal for people in the community, or anyone who might know anything, to come forward with information to help our inquiry." | "We now appeal for people in the community, or anyone who might know anything, to come forward with information to help our inquiry." |
| Those who could help were asked to contact the Harborne police investigation team or dial Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. | Those who could help were asked to contact the Harborne police investigation team or dial Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. |
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