Pensioner dies after nursing home fire
4:49pm Monday 25th August 2008
POLICE are not ruling out arson in their investigation into a fire which claimed the life of a pensioner.
The 79-year-old woman died on Sunday afternoon, a week after the fire at the Clayton Manor Care Centre in Congleton.
The woman suffered serious injuries in the blaze, and was treated in the burns unit at Wythenshawe Hospital, Manchester, where her condition was described as “critical.”
The care home is at the junction of Rood Hill and the Clayton bypass.
Police want to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in that area at the time of the fire or saw anyone leaving the home on foot or by car.
“We are exploring all lines of inquiry, and cannot rule out that the fire could have been set deliberately,” said Det Chf Insp Simon Price.
“With that in mind we are keen to establish who was in the area at the time.
“You may have seen someone coming out of the driveway of the nursing home onto Rood Hill, whether it be on foot or by car.
“At the time you may not have thought anything of it.”
The fire broke out on Sunday August 17, and police are keen to speak to anyone who may have been in the area of the care home between 9.30pm and 10pm on that day.
The 76-year-old woman has not been named by the police, and died in hospital at about 2pm yesterday, Sunday.
Anyone who can help the police investigation is asked to ring Cheshire Police on 0845-458-0000, quoting the reference Operation Cairo.
Information can also be left anonymously on the Crimestoppers hotline - 0800 555 111.