Lancashire fire deaths
Two people have died in separate house fires in Lancashire. An 88-year-old man was killed in Blackburn in the early hours of Sunday. Another person was killed in an unrelated fire in Leyland on Sunday evening.
Latest ITV News reports
Man charged with murdering elderly man in Blackburn
by Rob Jaskowski
A man has been charged with the murder of a pensioner in Blackburn.
The body of 88 year- old Christopher Proctor was found after a fire at his bungalow in Pleckgate.
38 year -old Anthony Curry from Blackburn is due before magistrates in the town in the morning. He also accused of arson, theft and burglary.
A 30 year old woman Clare Randall is also appearing charged with theft.
Inside bungalow gutted by fire
Lancashire Police investigating the murder of an 88-year-old man in Blackburn believe he was dead before a fire at his home.
Christopher Proctor's bungalow on Pleckgate Road was destroyed by flames in the early hours of Saturday, November 10.
Police today re-issued their appeal for more information about what happened to him.
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Murder squad police appeal after pensioner's fire death
by Andy Bonner
Murder squad police are appealing for help again following fire death of pensioner Christopher Proctor in Blackburn
Read the full storyFire death victim's bank card used on morning of blaze
A bank card belonging to a man who is believed to have been killed in a house fire was used on the same morning he died, police have said.
Although the victim hasn't been identified, Lancashire Police believe he was 88-year-old Christopher Proctor, who lived alone at the house on Pleckgate Road in Blackburn.
The fire happened shortly before 4am last Saturday, November 10.
Detective Superinendent Paul Withers, who is leading the investigation, said: “We believe that Christopher Proctor may have been targeted over several years by people taking advantage of his vulnerability."
He said someone tried to use the card at two cash points between 2.15am and 2.25am.
Officers are reviewing hundreds of hours of CCTV but Det Supt Withers also appealed for anyone in Blackburn with CCTV covering the areas between Pleckgate Road and Whalley New Road at Roe Lee to urgently get in touch.
Anyone with information or CCTV should call police on the non emergency number 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 quoting log number 1020 of November 15th.
Fire crews investigate fatal house fire in Leyland
Police investigate after fire death in Leyland
Police are investigating after a person was killed in a house fire in Leyland. Fire crews were called to Leyland Lane at 8.23pm on Sunday night.
Firefighters searched the terraced house for a person reported missing but they were unable to save them. Police and forensic teams are investigating.
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More information on fatal house fire
Police have released more information after a fatal house fire in Blackburn. Officers say they understand the victim is 88 year old Christopher Proctor, though they have yet to formally identify him. He lived alone at the house on Pleckgate Road. A post mortem is being carried out.
Post mortem after fatal fire in Blackburn
A post mortem will take place later to determine the cause of death of a body found at the scene of a house fire on Pleckgate Road in Blackburn. Emergency services were called to the blaze in the early hours of yesterday. An investigation is now underway into the cause of the fire.
Elderly man believed dead in Blackburn fire
Investigation launched into fatal fire
An investigation is underway after a fatal house fire in Blackburn. Emergency services were called to the bungalow on Pleckgate Road just before four o'clock this morning. Firefighters found a body inside, but police haven't yet confirmed the identity.