Briton charged with homicide after Turkish marina fire

A BRITON is facing homicide charges in Turkey after he allegedly set light to a yacht and caused a blaze that killed a man.

Billy Clark, 34, was arrested with his 24-year-old girlfriend Rosie Patricia Glover after fire broke out at a marina in the south-western city of Marmaris, according to Turkish media.

A court ordered that Clark be held on a charge of negligent homicide, while Ms Glover was released. Both are believed to be from Northern Ireland.

Clark had reportedly been drinking and entered the marina in the early hours of Monday after a fight with his girlfriend. He allegedly climbed on to one of the yachts to rest.

Security cameras later caught him leaving the marina carrying a television and meeting up with Ms Glover, according to the Haberler news site.

Minutes after Clark allegedly left the marina, security footage showed flames beginning to spread among boats in the area.

The fire killed Ekrem Gökçe, 63, on board one vessel, while another man, Türker Demir, was injured.

Mr Gökçe’s body was found by divers among the wreckage of the yacht.

A team of around 20 firefighters spent three hours at the blaze.

Police reviewed CCTV footage and arrested the couple at the Turunc holiday resort 13 miles away.

Clark told police he was too drunk to remember what had happened, according to the Daily Sabah newspaper.

It is not clear if Turkish authorities believe Clark deliberately started the fire or alleged that it was an accident.

Both Clark and Ms Glover covered their faces as they were escorted in handcuffs past cameras into a police station.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: “We are in contact with the Turkish police following the detention of two British nationals in Marmaris.”

Ms Glover was released on condition of certain restrictions.