Third man arrested after two women killed in house fire

A third man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after a house fire left two women dead and four people injured, police said.

Emergency services were called to a fire at a property in Dunstall Hill in Wolverhampton at 2am on Saturday.

West Midlands Police said two women, aged in their early 20s, were confirmed dead at the scene.

Two men, aged 19 and 22, were arrested on suspicion of murder on Saturday and police were given extra time to question them. It is assumed that they are known to the women.

Police said on Sunday that a 46-year-old man, who is also said to be known to the women, was arrested on suspicion of murder and was being questioned at a police station.

Four other people were hospitalized after the fire. Three were not seriously injured, but one woman remains in serious condition.

West Midlands Fire Service said another person was “discharged by emergency services at the scene”.

Chief Inspector Richard Fisher, of Wolverhampton Police, said: “Two women have tragically lost their lives and our thoughts are with their loved ones at this deeply distressing time.

“We know how worrying this is for everyone in the community and we are working as sensitively as possible to establish the cause of this terrible fire.

“This is a very active investigation and it is important that we do everything we can to get answers to what happened.”

A cordon remains in place as inquiries continue and West Midlands Police have asked anyone with information to call 101, quoting 360 of May 11.