22/05/2007

Belgrave house fire was 'arson'

A house fire in Leicestershire which left a mother and two children seriously ill in hospital was started deliberately, police have confirmed.

Fire crews were called to the house in Sutton Avenue in Belgrave in the early hours of Monday morning.

A 31-year-old woman and her two sons, aged nine and six, were taken to Leicester Royal Infirmary following the fire and all three remain in a very serious condition.

Forensic teams and specialist officers from the fire service have been conducting tests at the house.

Detective Superintendent Chris Thomas, who is leading the investigation, said: "It is now clear that we are not dealing with a horrible accident, but a deliberate case of arson which has led to a mother and her two sons being very poorly in hospital.

"We're keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the Gipsy Lane or Sutton Avenue area of Belgrave yesterday morning between 1am and 2pm.

"Were you walking home from work or had been for a night out? Does your route take you along Gipsy Lane past Sutton Avenue or on any of the surrounding roads?

"We know that taxis often use Sutton Avenue as a cut through from Gipsy Lane to Catherine Street and we would make a direct appeal for any cab drivers who were on duty Sunday night through to Monday morning to think back."

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to contact police on: 0116 2222222 or Crimestoppers anonymously on: 0800 555 111.

(KMcA/SP)

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