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Mother 'died saving son from blaze'
08.11.09
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Police have launched a murder hunt after a devoted mother of nine died saving her son from a house fire started by a firework pushed through her letterbox in Bodmin, Cornwall.
Mary Fox, 59, was trapped in her bedroom after reportedly pushing her 17-year-old son Raum to safety through an upstairs bedroom window.
Officers are investigating claims that Raum, who has learning difficulties, was being bullied at school and that the family had been targeted by youths who had been throwing fireworks in the street.
Police said they had launched a murder investigation after the remnants of a firework were found behind the front door of Mrs Fox's house.
Mrs Fox's family paid tribute to their "loving and caring" mother who devoted her life to her children and "would give her last penny" to help people in need.
A team of officers conducted house to house enquiries and collected the remains of fireworks found in the street for potential evidence.
After leaping from the three-storey house, Raum ran to alert neighbours that his mother was still trapped inside.
He was taken to Treliske Hospital where he was treated for smoke inhalation and he is now being looked after by his eight brothers and sisters.
Speaking at a press conference at Bodmin police station, Superintendent Martin Orpe warned the people responsible that police would find them.
"I am appealing to those people involved in this to do the decent thing and come forward to the police," he said. "If not, I am confident from what I have seen that we will be knocking on their doors shortly."
