Man found dead in house fire and woman arrested as police launch murder probe

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An aerial view of the fire scene in Brighton (Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)
An aerial view of the fire scene in Brighton (Image: Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

A man has died in an early morning house fire and woman has been arrested as police launched a murder probe.

The investigation was triggered after the body of a 50-year-old man was discovered by firefighters tackling a blaze at property in Brighton. Emergency services say the man was confirmed dead at the scene of the tragedy which happened in the seaside resort.

A 36-year-old woman, who is understood to come from the city, has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Police said road closures were in place near the location of the fire in Preston Road from Ditchling Rise to the junction of Stanford Avenue.

Man found dead in house fire and woman arrested as police launch murder probe eiqrriukiqzrinvThe fire scene after the death of a 50-year-old man (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

Motorists are facing diversions and being asked to use alternative routes as firefighters dampen down the fire within the property Police said enquiries are ongoing and asked anyone with information to contact Sussex Police. A spokesman said: "Emergency services are currently dealing with a fire inside a property in Preston Road, Brighton. A road closure is in place in Preston Road from Ditchling Rise to the junction of Stanford Avenue. Please seek alternative routes while services work in the area.

Man found dead in house fire and woman arrested as police launch murder probeFirefighters at the scene of the blaze this morning (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

"A 50-year-old man has sadly been confirmed deceased at the scene. A 36-year-old woman from Brighton has been arrested on suspicion of murder. Enquiries to establish the circumstances are ongoing at this time and anyone with information in relation to the incident is asked to make a report."

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Members of the public who have any information on the incident are asked contact the police or call 101 quoting Operation Tunnel.

East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service reported the fire was in the basement of the three-storey property. A spokesman said: “We were called to a fire in the basement flat of a three-storey building in Preston Road, Brighton, at 3.48am this morning.

Man found dead in house fire and woman arrested as police launch murder probeFire fighters were called to the early morning blaze in a basement flat (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)
Man found dead in house fire and woman arrested as police launch murder probeA 50-year-old man died and a woman has been arrested say police (Adam Gerrard / Daily Mirror)

"Crews from Preston Circus, Roedean, Newhaven, Bexhill, Lewes, supported by crews from West Sussex Fire and Rescue Service, used breathing apparatus an electric saw and forcible entry to to access the property.

“Pumping equipment and firefighting foam was used to deal with the fire. Unfortunately, there was one fatality and a female was taken in to the care of the ambulance service. The cause of the fire is unknown and a fire investigation will be undertaken.”

Graeme Murray

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