Detectives investigate flat fire tip-off

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DETECTIVES trying to find the killer of a Warndon man who died after an arson attack on his home are investigating a possible new suspect.

Police received the tip off after the killing of Andrew Heath at his home on Chedworth Close featured on BBC One's Crimewatch on Thursday.

West Mercia detectives are pursuing several new leads and in particular the name of someone mentioned in a number of calls received by Crimewatch and Crimestoppers after a reconstruction of Mr Heath's death was screened.

The 52-year-old died in a fire at his home at 4am on December 14 and police are offering a reward of £10,000 for information which leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.

During Crimewatch it was revealed for the first time that the fire was started when a wheelie bin was set alight and pushed into the porch of his first floor flat.

Viewers saw how Mr Heath, who lived by himself at the flat, called 999 after realising he was trapped by the fire.

Detective Chief Inspector Paul Williamson, who is leading the operation and featured on the BBC One show, said: "I want to thank those members of the public who have called in and passed on information, some of which is very interesting to us and we will be looking into it straightaway.

"One name in particular has been received from a number of different sources and they will be a focus of inquiries in the coming days to see what part, if any, they will play in our investigation."

Anyone with information is urged to call police on the non emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.