13/09/2013

Murder Investigation Launched As Four Die In House Fire

Police have now confirmed that a murder investigation has been launched after four members of the same family died in a house fire in Leicester.

The victims have not been formally identified, but police believe they are a woman and her three children. It is thought the mother was in her late 40s, her daughter was 19, and her two sons were 17 and 15.

At around 12.35am on Friday, police and firefighters were called to Wood Hill in the Spinney Hill area of the city.

The blaze caused extensive damage to the house and it is understood the four people were already dead when they were found in upstairs bedrooms.

Earlier, police said they were "unable to rule out" that the fire was linked to the murder of a man in the city on Thursday.

Assistant Chief Constable Roger Bannister said Leicestershire Police was examining the possibility of the blaze being a revenge attack.

On Thursday, a man in his 20s was assaulted on Kent Street at around 5.30pm. He was taken to the Leicester Royal Infirmary but later died.

The immediate area and surrounding roads have been cordoned off whilst officers deal with the incident and to allow for a full forensic examination of the scene.

A post mortem examination will take place in due course to find out the cause of the man's death.

Detective Chief Inspector Simon Cure, who is leading the enquiry, said: "Our investigation is in its very early stages and we are currently carrying out a number of enquiries to try to establish what has happened.

"We are keen to speak to anyone who was in the Kent Street area around 5.30pm and may have witnessed the victim being assaulted or can recall any suspicious activity in the area.

"Any information no matter how small it may could be crucial to our investigation so please get in touch and use Crimestoppers which is anonymous if you do no want to leave your details."

Anyone with information can call police on 101 quoting incident 551 of 12:09:13, or alternatively call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

(JP/CD)

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