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Boy, 16, arrested on suspicion of murder after elderly couple die in house fire

17 April 2025, 16:51 | Updated: 17 April 2025, 20:30

A 16-year-old boy has been arrested on suspicion of murder after an elderly couple died in a fire in Hampshire.

Police were called to reports of a blaze at a house in Heron Close, Alton, at 4am on 14 April.

Officers and firefighters went to the location, but a man aged in his 90s and a woman in her 80s were pronounced dead at the scene, Hampshire Constabulary said.

In an appeal for more information, the force said it was now treating the incident as possible arson as it announced the arrest.

The couple's next of kin have been informed.

An investigation is under way to establish the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the event.

Appealing for witnesses, the force added: "We would like to speak to anyone who may have information that could assist with our enquiries.

"Did you witness anyone behaving suspiciously in the area between midnight and 5am?"

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It also urged people with any CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage of anyone "behaving suspiciously in the area" around that time to come forward.