Can you help? Detectives want to speak to two women in connection with fatal house fire in Thornton

Detectives investigating a fatal house fire in Thornton last weekend are appealing to identify potential witnesses seen in the area prior to the incident.

At shortly after 7am on Saturday 10 August, emergency services were called to a house fire in Saffron Mews. On arrival, a man in his 60s was removed from the property and taken to hospital.

The man was sadly pronounced deceased in the early hours of yesterday morning, Tuesday 13 August.

A Home Office Post Mortem will take place tomorrow, Thursday 15 August.

Detective Inspector Gary Stratton is leading the investigation, and said: “We are currently trying to identify two women who were with a young girl aged around nine in the area of Saffron Close, at around 5.45pm on Friday 9 August, the afternoon before this tragic incident.

“I want to emphasise that these women are not being treated as suspects, but we need to speak with them to find out if they saw or heard anything suspicious or called at the address in question on Friday.

"I would also ask anyone else to come forward with any information on this incident. Regardless of how insignificant you think it is, a small detail could be the key to this investigation, so let us assess what you know.

“I also want to highlight the bravery of Merseyside Fire and Rescue officers, and of those members of the public who attempted to rescue the victim. They are a credit to their communities and did all they possibly could to help in this desperate situation.”

A 50-year-old woman from Formby was initially arrested on suspicion of attempted murder and has been released on conditional bail pending further enquiries alongside MFRS into the circumstances of the fire.

Anyone with information is asked to contact @MerPolCC, call 101 with reference 19100443197 or anonymously via CrimestoppersUK on 0800 555 111.