AN ELDERLY woman has died after jumping out of a house window to escape a suspected arson attack – as a man is arrested for murder.

The woman was rushed to hospital after the house fire just before 9.30am in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, yesterday.

She was forced to jump 20ft to the ground from a top-floor window to escape the fire.

Rescue teams including two ambulances, paramedics and an air ambulance scrambled to the scene within minutes of neighbours dialling 999.

The woman was rushed to hospital but died from her injuries last night.

Cops are treating the fire as arson, and a 46-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder.

DI Wes Martin, from West Midlands Police said: “This is a really tragic case, where a woman has sadly died after her own home, a place that should be safe, was set on fire. 

“Our thoughts remain with her family at this time and they are being supported by specialist officers. 

“A man has been arrested, and at this time we are not currently looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.”

A man, 52, was also treated for serious burns sustained in the blaze.

His injuries are considered to be serious but not life-threatening, cops said.

The house was cordoned off as officers and fire crews investigated the scene.

Source: Read Full Article