Third man is arrested on suspicion of murder after two women in their 20s died in house fire

  • Three men aged 46, 22, and 19 have been arrested following the house fire
  • It is believed the three men in custody were known to the women 

A third man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two women died and four people were injured in a house fire.

Emergency services were called to a house in the Dunstall Hill area of Wolverhampton at around 2am on Saturday.

The two women, reportedly in their early 20s, were confirmed dead at the scene according to West Midlands Police.

Four other people - three men and one woman - were transported to hospital following the incident.

The three men have not been seriously injured, however the woman continues to be in a serious condition, West Midlands Police reports.

A third man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two women in their early 20s died and four people were injured in a house fire (pictured: forensic officers at the scene on Saturday)

A third man has been arrested on suspicion of murder after two women in their early 20s died and four people were injured in a house fire (pictured: forensic officers at the scene on Saturday)

Three men and one woman - were transported to hospital following the incident. The woman remains in a serious condition (pictured: general view of the scene in Dunstall Hill are of Wolverhampton)

Three men and one woman - were transported to hospital following the incident. The woman remains in a serious condition (pictured: general view of the scene in Dunstall Hill are of Wolverhampton)

A 46-year-old man has newly been arrested on suspicion of murder, alongside two other men aged 19 and 22.

It is understood that all three men in custody are thought to be known to the women, according to police.

West Midlands Police have also been given additional time to question the 19 and 22-year-olds, who were initially brought into custody on Saturday.

Chief Superintendent Richard Fisher, from 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 upsetting this is for everyone within the community, and we're working as sensitively as we can to find out the cause of this terrible fire.

'This is a very active investigation and it's important we do everything we can to get answers to what happened.'

The fire was extinguished shortly before 3am after 20 firefighters from Wolverhampton, Fallings Park, Tipton and Bilston fire stations attended the scene.

West Midlands Fire Service said another person was 'discharged at the scene by the ambulance service'.

The fire service said via a statement: 'Three fire engines and two 4x4 brigade response vehicles attended, crewed by 20 firefighters from Wolverhampton, Fallings Park, Tipton and Bilston fire stations. 

'The first was at the scene three minutes after being mobilised.

'They arrived to find a severe fire in an end-terrace property, from which four people had managed to escape.

Three men aged 46, 22, and 19 who have been arrested on suspicion of murder, are believed to be known to the women (pictured: forensic officers at the scene)

Three men aged 46, 22, and 19 who have been arrested on suspicion of murder, are believed to be known to the women (pictured: forensic officers at the scene)

West Midlands police have been given additional time to question the 19 and 22-year-olds following the arrest of the third man (pictured: forensic officers at the scene)

West Midlands police have been given additional time to question the 19 and 22-year-olds following the arrest of the third man (pictured: forensic officers at the scene)

Emergency services were called to the house at around 2am on Saturday morning (pictured: forensic officers at the scene)

Emergency services were called to the house at around 2am on Saturday morning (pictured: forensic officers at the scene)

The fire was extinguished shortly before 3am after 20 firefighters attended the scene (pictured: a forensic dog at the house in Wolverhampton on Saturday)

The fire was extinguished shortly before 3am after 20 firefighters attended the scene (pictured: a forensic dog at the house in Wolverhampton on Saturday) 

'Several firefighters wearing breathing apparatus entered the property. Very sadly, the bodies of two people were found inside.

'The fire was confirmed to have been extinguished shortly before 3am.

'Our investigators will be working with West Midlands Police to establish exactly how the fire started.'

They also offered their 'thoughts and sympathies' to everyone impacted by the incident.

Police have requested for anyone with information to contact them by calling 101, and quoting 360 of May 11 2024.