House fire puts man in hospital
We still need help from the public so we can establish exactly what has happened Northumbria Police
EXTRA police have been patrolling the streets after a man suffered serious injuries in a blaze-hit house on Tyneside.
Three people have been arrested by officers who are investigating the fire which they believe was started at the property in Wigmore Avenue in Walker in Newcastle’s East End on Saturday morning.
Officers were called to the house at around 11.15am and found a 43-year-old man with life-threatening injuries.
He was taken to the city’s RVI where he remains in a critical condition.
Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service also attended to extinguish a fire in the semidetached home.
An investigation is under way and police have arrested two men – one aged 35 and another aged 18 – and a 40-year-old woman in relation to the incident. The 35-year-old man remains in police custody, the woman has been released on police bail and the teenager has been released with no further action. Extra officers have been patrolling the surrounding streets be in the area today to carry out their enquiries and to reassure any concerned local residents living in the area. Det Chief Insp Paul Woods said: “We have one suspect in custody at the minute but we still need help from the public so we can establish exactly what has happened.
“Anyone who may have seen anyone acting suspiciously in the area on Saturday morning needs to get in touch with us as they could assist the investigation.
“This happened in the middle of a Saturday morning and we are confident there will be key witnesses who haven’t yet spoken to police.
“We would urge them to come forward.”
Police cordoned off the street as they launched their weekend probe.
One neighbour said the occupant was “dragged” across the street by a neighbour on the opposite side.
A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson said: “We were called at 11.04am to reports of a person involved in a house fire.
“We despatched a Hazardous Area Response Team crew and a double crewed ambulance.
“One patient was taken to the RVI.”
If anyone has any information that could help police then they should call detectives on 101 quoting log 407 24/07/17 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.