06/04/2007

Teenager bailed over sisters' deaths

A teenage boy arrested on suspicion of murder over the deaths of two sisters in a house fire in South Tyneside has been released on bail.

Tatum Spence, 14, and her 12-year-old sister Demi, died when the blaze broke out at their home in Lisle Road in South Shields around 1am on Wednesday morning.

The girls' father, John Spence, 37, remains in Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary, where he is being treated for serious burns. He remains in a critical condition.

The girls' mother, Anita Spence, also 37, was treated for less serious injuries at South Tyneside Hospital and was later released.

The 17-year-old youth was arrested on Wednesday afternoon, but Northumbria Police have confirmed that he has since been released and that inquiries are continuing into the fire, which police are treating as suspicious.

Investigations, carried out by the police, fire service and forensic science service, are continuing.

Detective Chief Inspector Mick Patterson said: "The whole of the investigation team are touched by the level of sympathy shown by members of the community.

"It is this that brings home the focus of the investigation to establish what led up to these deaths.

"Our thoughts go out to the family at this very sad time."

(KMcA)


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