Fatal fire reached over 900°C

Mon, 09 Aug 2010

61 year old Terry Losh died in the fire of Demesne Road

A fire expert has told a court that the Demesne Road will have reached temperatures exceeding 900°C.

Forensic Scientist Stephen Paul Andrews was brought to the Island in March last year to examine the four fires.

He determined that the Bucks Road fire must have been started deliberately as the seat of the fire, a mattress, was unlikely to have caught fire by accident as it was fire resistent.

Mr Andrews also agreed that Peveril Street and Clark Street were arsons.

When looking at Demesne Road he suggested a fire accelerant may have been used as the blaze developed quickly.

Paint thinner bottles, which would have had this effect, were found in bins behind Fairfield Terrace, where Simon Paul Leece lived.

35 year old Leece denies one count of murder and seven of arson.

Mr Andrews will continue giving evidence tomorrow.