Murder inquiry into care home fire death

1:32pm Tuesday 26th August 2008

POLICE believe a care home resident who died following a fire at the home was murdered.

Mary Bennett, aged 79, died from the serious burns she suffered in the fire on Sunday August 17.

The fire broke out at Clayton Manor Care Centre in Congleton just before 10pm, and staff and residents were evacuated.

Cheshire Police announced today, Tuesday, it was conducting a murder inquiry into Mrs Bennett’s death.

Mrs Bennett was treated for her injuries at the burns unit at Wythenshawe Hospital at Manchester, where her condition was described as “critical.”

She died in hospital at about 2pm on Sunday, a week after the fire.

A forensic post-mortem examination revealed that Mrs Bennett had died as a result of the burns she suffered in the fire.

Clayton Manor Care Centre offers nursing and residential care, and has 78 beds.

It is part of the Care Home Group: Southern Cross Healthcare Ltd, and caters for elderly people with Alzheimer’s/dementia, the elderly and people with physical disabilities.

A spokesman for the home said the thoughts of everyone at the home were with Mrs Bennett's family, and the home was co-operating fully with the police inquiries.

The home is situated at the junction of Rood Hill and the Clayton Bypass, and police investigating the fire and Mrs Bennett’s death are appealing for help from the public.

They want to speak to anyone who saw anything suspicious in the Rood Hill area at the time of the fire or saw anyone leaving the home on foot or by car.

A Cheshire Police spokeswoman said this morning that initial investigations had indicated that the fire at the care home was started maliciously, and the police were conducting a murder inquiry.

Investigating officers would like to speak to anyone who has information about the fire, or who was in the Rood Hill area between 8pm and 10.30pm on Sunday August 17, and may have seen anything suspicious.

“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 on Friday.

“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 on foot or by car.

“At the time you may not have thought anything of it.”

Anyone who can help the investigation is asked to ring Cheshire Police on 0845-458-0000, quoting reference Operation Cairo.

Information can also be left anonymously on Crimestoppers 0800 555 111.

Four fire engines attended the fire.