Info sought on youths seen near arson site
‘NO OTHER REASON FOR FIRE’ AT HOUSE THAT WAS SITE OF A FATAL BLAZE SIX YEARS AGO THAT KILLED ELDERLY MAN
POLICE are hunting four youths suspected of torching a country house six years after a pensioner died in a fire there.
Officers say they were seen in the area shortly before the blaze.
North Wales Fire and Rescue Service crews were called to a fire at Tryfan Hall, south of Caernarfon, near Rhostryfan, Gwynedd, last Tuesday at around 6.30pm.
Two fire engines attended at the scene and its crews eventually extinguished the blaze.
However, the property was left with significant fire damage, while smoke had damaged the entire building.
Firefighters later said four separate fires appeared to have been lit inside the property.
“Arson is suspected, as there was no other reason for the property to be on fire,” said a spokesperson for North Wales
Police (NWP).
Locals reported seeing four “suspicious” youths in the immediate area of Tryfan Hall at around 5.20pm that evening.
All were said to be wearing black or dark clothing.
The NWP Gwynedd North team said: “Police are eager to identify the youths – thought to be local to the area – to establish if they have any further information that will assist the ongoing police investigation into the arson.
“Do you know of someone who returned home last night with the strong smell of smoke lingering on their clothing?
“If you have any information as to the identity of the youths confirmed to be in the area prior to the arson, or have CCTV footage or dashcam video footage that might assist the police investigation, please contact North Wales Police.”
The hall was damaged in another fire in April 2016 which claimed the life of a 71-year-old man and his dog.
An inquest in Caernarfon recorded an accidental death after hearing the pensioner lived alone and often had electric heaters turned on in his downstairs bedroom.
Fire investigation officers said the victim was found slumped in a chair in the bedroom with his dog beside him.
It was thought a two-bar electric fire had melted bedding, causing toxic fumes which overcame the room’s occupants.
To report information, contact North Wales Police via LiveChat or 101, quoting reference B036129.