BBC News
Published
image copyrightFamily Handout
image captionPeggy Wright suffered serious injuries as she jumped from a window to escape the flames
A man has been charged with murder after an 83-year-old woman suffered fatal injuries jumping from a window in her burning home.
Peggy Wright died in hospital after a fire broke out at her house in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, on 18 April.
A 52-year-old man was also hospitalised with burns after the blaze in Lapworth Grove and is still recovering.
As well as murder, Mark O Brien, 46, was charged with attempted murder and arson with intent to endanger life.
image copyrightPA Media
Less than an hour ago
It s the fourth fatal fire in the region since Sunday.
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A man has died in a house fire in the Black Country overnight.
Emergency services were called to Park Road, in Bearwood, at around 8.50pm last night.
A man, believed to be in his 80s, was pronounced dead at the scene.
West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) was called by West Midlands Fire Service to attend – and due to the nature of the call, the Hazardous Area Response Team was dispatched, along with one ambulance and a paramedic officer.
Tributes to Balsall Heath great-grandmother who died after arson attack
Published
image captionMs Wright was a mother, sister, grandmother and great-grandmother her family said
Tributes have been paid to a much-loved and devoted great-grandmother who died after jumping from a window to escape a fire at her home.
Peggy Wright, 83, sustained serious injuries fleeing the arson attack in Lapworth Grove, Balsall Heath, Birmingham, on Sunday morning.
A 52-year-old man who suffered burns is in a stable condition.
A 46-year-old man arrested on suspicion of murder has since been detained under the Mental Health Act, police said.
image captionThe house was cordoned off for examinations
By Press Association 2021
Police tent at the scene
A man arrested on suspicion of murdering a great-grandmother in an arson attack has been detained under the Mental Health Act.
Police investigating the death of Peggy Wright said the 46-year-old suspect had been ordered to be detained following an assessment by experts.
The family of the 83-year-old victim, who died in hospital after the attack at her home in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, described her in a statement as a much-loved member of the community.
Peggy Wright (West Midlands Police/PA)
The pensioner suffered serious injuries after jumping from a window to escape the fire in Lapworth Grove on Sunday morning.
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