Two quizzed over fire deaths

Updated 11.02 Tue Sep 18 2007

Keywords: murder, Porstmouth, fire

Two people are being questioned on suspicion of murder after a massive fire at a block of flats killed one man and left another seriously hurt.

More than 50 firefighters tackled the suspicious blaze at the four-storey block in Portsmouth. Nineteen people were rescued from the fire.

Hampshire's Arson Task Force, a dedicated unit set up earlier this year, has been brought in to help investigate the incident

A man in his 40s died from smoke inhalation and a second was seriously ill after breathing in fumes, Hampshire Police said.

A man and a youth were arrested on suspicion of murder and attempted murder by police investigating the fire, which is being treated as suspected arson.

Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "The incident is being treated as suspicious and scenes-of-crime officers from Hampshire Constabulary are investigating the cause of the fire."

Police said the fire was believed to have started in the communal stairway on the upper floor before spreading throughout the building, a police spokesman said.

Hampshire's Arson Task Force, a dedicated unit set up earlier this year, has been brought in to help investigate the incident.