Man Charged With Murder Following Fatal Cowes Fire

A man has been charged with murder following the fatal fire that claimed the life of a 24-year-old in Cowes last month.

Emergency services were called to an address in Ronsons Close at 3.32am on Friday 26th June, where police, firefighters and ambulance crews discovered the body of Lucas Scutt.

Now, 24-year-old Liam Matthews, of Spinnaker Road, Cowes, has been charged with murder, arson with intent to endanger life, and failing to comply with a Section 49 notice requiring disclosure of a key to protected information.

He has been remanded in custody and is due to appear before Southampton Magistrates' Court tomorrow (Saturday).

Meanwhile, a second 24-year-old man from Cowes, who had been arrested on suspicion of murder and arson with intent to endanger life, has been released from bail and will face no further action.

A 59-year-old man from Cowes, previously arrested on suspicion of the same offences, has also been released from bail with no further action.

A 28-year-old man from Ventnor, arrested on suspicion of murder, arson with intent to endanger life and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place, remains on police bail with conditions until 27th September while enquiries continue.