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Burning building too dangerous for firefighters to finish search

Thu, 05 Aug 2010

Firefighters and police officers who dealt with the Demesne Road fire have been giving evidence in court.

John Bellis, who was in charge of the fire operation at the incident, recalled the thickness of the smoke when he arrived at the scene, stating he was unable to see the flashing lights on the fire engine before he was stood next to it.

The witnesses described how fire officers entered the building and searched for any residents who were still inside.

The roof started to collapse and the crews were pulled out before they could search all of the upper floor flats.

Police and fire crews thought all the residents were out, but later found the body of 61 year old Terry Losh.

This afternoon the prosecution will examine CCTV from the area of the fires.

There'll also be evidence from the landlord and landlady of defendant Simon Paul Leece.

Leece denies one charge of murder and seven arson offences.

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