Murder arrest as woman, 83, dies from injuries after leaping from window to escape blazing house
A man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an 83-year-old woman suffered fatal injuries in a house fire in Birmingham.
The pensioner was taken to hospital after jumping from a window to escape the fire on Lapworth Grove, Balsall Heath, just before 9.30am on Sunday.
She died in hospital as a result of her injuries on Sunday night.
A 52-year-old man was also taken to hospital with burns. His injuries are deemed to be serious.
The address on Lapworth Grove has been cordoned off to allow police and the fire service to conduct a forensic investigation.
The incident is now being treated as murder – and a 46-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder. He remains in police custody and will be questioned by detectives in due course.
Detective Inspector Wes Martin, from West Midlands Police's homicide team, said: “This is a really tragic case, where a woman has sadly died after her own home, a place that should be safe, was set on fire.
“Our thoughts remain with her family at this time and they are being supported by specialist officers.
“A man has been arrested, and at this time we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”
Anyone with information can call West Midlands Police on 101, quoting incident number 954 of April 18.
Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or at crimestoppers-uk.org.
