A murder investigation has been launched after an elderly man died in hospital following a house fire in Wednesbury earlier this month. Three other people remain in a critical but stable condition
Police have launched a murder investigation after an elderly man has died two weeks after a horror house fire that left three others critically injured.
Emergency services were called to reports of a fire on Holyhead Road in the early hours of Sunday, May 11. Upon arrival fire crews found the blaze had ripped through a semi-detached property.
Four people including 82-year-old John Edwards were left seriously injured from the fire. All four people were rushed to hospital, Mr Edwards has since sadly passed away and the three other people, who have not been identified but are belived to be a man in his 50s and woman in her 80s, remain in a critical but stable condition.
Andrew Gorrell was previously charged with arson and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The 53-year-old from Saltney, Chester, was remanded to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court and remains in custody.
Police said they were now working with the Crown Prosecution Service to review the charges as they continue to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information about the fire.
In an update from West Midlands Police on Thursday, May 29 the force confirmed a murder investigation has been launched after Mr Edwards died in hospital over the weekend despite the best efforts of medical teams to save him. The force also revealed a 53-year-old has been charged with arson and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent.
A spokesperson said: “Sadly, on Sunday 25 May, Mr Edwards died in hospital, and our thoughts are with his family following this tragic development. We are in close contact with them, and they are being supported by our specialist officers.
“We have been thoroughly investigating the fire and had previously charged Andrew Gorrell with arson and three counts of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. The 53-year-old from Saltney, Chester, was remanded to appear at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court where he was further remanded and remains in custody.
“We are working with the Crown Prosecution Service to review the charges against him following this update The three other people hurt in the fire remain in a critical but stable condition.
“We are continuing to appeal for witnesses or anyone with information about the fire to contact us, and we are especially keen to hear from anyone who was in the area of the evening of Saturday 10 May or the early hours of Sunday 11 May. We have set up an online portal where you can leave any information you may have including videos and pictures. You can also speak to us via 101, quoting log 504 of 11 May.”