Murder man set on fire

A man who was murdered yards from Wolverhampton Market had been set on fire, it was revealed today.

And there were reports that the body may have been found wrapped in a carpet.

The identity of the badly burned man was a mystery today as police continued to hold a Wolverhampton man in connection with death.

A fire investigation officer examined the scene in Salop Street yesterday and a fire service van was also at the scene, which remained sealed off this morning.

Police were today refusing to confirm how the man died, and it was not clear if he was still alive when set alight. Det Ch Insp Simon Hyde, today said they were still trying to establish the victim's identity and declined to release results of yesterday's post-mortem.

West Midlands Fire Service spokesman Mike Fox said: "We did attend the scene at the request of the police and assisted them with their enquiries."

Wolverhampton Market stallholders arrived to find Salop Street was shut at its junction with School Street and Peel Street. Fold Street was also shut.

Roads reopened late last night, but today there was still a small police presence.

The Antiques Market, forced to shut yesterday, does not open on Thursdays.

The Retail Market, which is open, and the Antiques Market were still taped off with two police officers and a van outside today.

Traders say they hope to claw back their rent for the day from Wolverhampton City Council. A 36-year-old Wolverhampton man arrested in connection with the death was today still being held by police.

* Anyone with information should call Bilston Street CID on 0845 113 5000 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.