Teens face court over blaze death

TWO teenagers have been charged with manslaughter and arson after an 88-yearold woman was killed in a house fire.

Police were called after the blaze in Romford, east London, on October 28, in which Josephine Smith died.

Kai Cooper, 18, from Leatherhead, Surrey, and a 15-year-old boy from Southend, Essex, appeared before Thames magistrates yesterday.

They were charged with manslaughter and arson with recklessness as to whether life was endangered. Both were also charged with assault by beating, relating to a separate offence.