Fatal Torquay house fire now a murder investigation

A 37-year-old was found dead at the scene last month

Author: Sophie SquiresPublished 1st Jun 2021

A murder investigation is underway following a fatal house fire in Torquay.

Police are treating the incident - which happened last month - as arson.

A 37-year-old man was found dead at the property and five people have been arrested in connection with the enquiry.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police said:

"A fatal fire in Torquay on Saturday 22 May is now being treated as suspicious.

"Police and fire were called to a property in Ellacombe Road at 11.10pm where they found 37-year-old Dean Corbett deceased at the scene.

"The fire is now being treated as arson and a murder enquiry has been launched.

"A man in his 50s, from Torquay, was arrested on suspicion of murder and released on police bail to return Friday 18 June.

"Two men in their 30s, a man in his 20s and woman in her 40s, all from Torquay, have also been arrested in connection with the enquiry and released on police bail, with the men in their 30s to return on Tuesday 22 June and the other two to return on Thursday 24 June.

"Forensic examinations enquiries remain ongoing and are expected to take some time."

If you witnessed the incident or have any information that could help the police with their enquiries, please email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting crime reference number CR/041665/21.

Alternatively, information can be passed anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111 or via the charity’s website at www.crimestoppers-org.uk.

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