Man In 20s Being Questioned Over Fatal Cowes House Fire

A 24-year-old man remains in police custody as detectives continue their murder investigation into last week's fatal house fire in Cowes, which claimed the life of a man in his 20s.

Emergency services were called to Ronsons Close at 3:32am on Friday after a fire tore through the roof of a terraced property, causing extensive damage.

Firefighters spent several hours tackling the blaze before the body of the victim was discovered inside the home. Two other people escaped the property, while nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution.

In the immediate aftermath of the incident, a 28-year-old man from Ventnor was arrested on suspicion of murder, arson with intent to endanger life and possession of an offensive weapon. He has since been released on conditional bail until 27th September while enquiries continue.

On Saturday evening, detectives arrested three more men from Cowes – two aged 24 and one aged 59 – on suspicion of murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary has now confirmed that one of the 24-year-old men remains in custody after magistrates granted detectives extra time to question him.

The other 24-year-old man and the 59-year-old man have both been released on conditional bail until 27th September.

Police are continuing to appeal for anyone who was in the Ronsons Close area around the time of the fire, or anyone with doorbell, dashcam or CCTV footage that could help the investigation, to come forward.

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 44260302232.

Ronsons Close has now reopened, with all police cordons removed.