Breaking: Body recovered from Bideford terrace a week on from devastating fire

A body has been recovered following the fire at a three storey terraced house in Bideford last week.

Police, fire and ambulance were called to the fire in Honestone Street at around 8.30pm on Tuesday, October 28.

The next day it was announced a man remained unaccounted for and his next of kin had been informed.

An investigation into the fire was launched, resulting in the arrest of four boys and a girl aged between 13 and 15-years-old, all from North Devon, on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.

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Police announced today (Tuesday, November 4) a body was recovered from the property on Sunday once part of the building was made safe.

Above: Efforts have been ongoing to enable safe entry into the building. Credit: Graham Hobbs

They said there had been several days of multi-agency work involving structural engineers working to make the area safe and it remained ongoing at the scene.

Formal identification of the body has yet to take place, but the next of kin of the man who was unaccounted for has been made aware of the development and they are being assisted by specially trained officers.

All five teenagers arrested have were released on police bail.

A man in his 30s, from Bideford, was previously also arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and released on police bail.

Above: Forensic teams working at the scene last week. Credit: Graham Hobbs

Detective Inspector Chris Lithgow from the Major Crime Investigation Team said: “I’d again like to thank the public for their patience, understanding and support during this investigation.

“We’ve been working with other agencies and have been able to reduce the cordon and allow for a significant number of displaced residents to return home.

“The remainder of those evacuated remain displaced due to structural issues. Our thoughts are with the family of the person whose body has been recovered from the property.

“We’d again like to urge the public not to speculate regarding this incident or the identities of those involved as it may risk jeopardising an active investigation.”