Man held over fatal fire

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Fire crews found the body of the woman, who has not yet been identified, at a property in Stoke-on-Trent.

A man in his 30s and two children escaped the blaze, at a three-storey house in Chilington Way. A spokesman for Staffordshire Police said the property was "well alight" when rescue teams arrived at the scene at around 2.15am.

A 30-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and is being questioned by detectives.

Meanwhile, a detailed forensic examination is under way at the property.

Detective Inspector Jim Wood said: "Obviously this has been a shocking incident for those involved and for the local community. We have specially trained family liaison officers working to support the family at this difficult time.

"We are working very closely with fire investigators to establish the full circumstances which led to the woman's death and we will be speaking to local residents who may have further information."

A post-mortem examination will be carried out over the next few days, police added.

A spokeswoman for West Midlands Ambulance Service said: "Crews arrived to find firefighters dealing with a fire that is reported to have been the in the loft area of the property. A man, believed to be in his 30s, and two children had managed to escape the fire. The man was treated on scene for smoke inhalation.

"Unfortunately the body of a woman was found inside the property; paramedics confirmed death at the scene."