Demesne Road residents give evidence

Wed, 04 Aug 2010

Douglas Courthouse

The residents of 19 Demesne Road have been giving evidence in the trial of Simon Paul Leece.

Keith Wardle lived one of the ground floor flats, and had tried to put the fatal fire out when the alarm first sounded.

Witness statements were read out from other residents, including those who became trapped on the upper floors and had to be rescued by the fire service.

The accounts described acrid, chemical smelling smoke, which made it difficult to breathe.

61 year old Terry Losh, who lived in the building, died in the blaze in March last year.

The court also heard from Matthew Halpin who lives in the house in Clark Street which also suffered a fire.

Leece denies one charge of murder and seven arson charges.

The trial continues tomorrow.