Elderly couple, 91 and 88, killed in house fire with boy, 16, arrested for murder

Stan Rickman, 91, and his wife Roma, 88, of Heron Close in Alton, died in a house fire on Monday (Picture: Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary)

An elderly couple who died in a house fire have been named, after a 16-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of murder.

Stan Rickman, 91, and his wife Roma, 88, of Heron Close, in Alton, Hampshire were found dead following a fire at their home on Monday.

Police said they were called to the scene shortly after the fire service attended the property at 4am.

The force is investigating the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

The boy was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday.

In a statement, the couple’s relatives said: ‘The family would like to thank everyone who has left flowers and kind messages but please respect our privacy at this difficult time.’

Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary want to hear from anyone who may have seen any suspicious behaviour in the area of Heron Close between midnight and 5am on April 14.

The fire happened in Heron Close, Alton (Picture: Google)

They’re particularly interested in anyone who has CCTV, doorbell or dashcam footage from this time.

The police said anyone who has information or who was in the area at the relevant time should report this through its public portal at  mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC25E03-PO1.

Alternatively, contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or through the online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.

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