Burns victim to be quizzed
A man with "severe burns" spotted by firefighters walking away from house fire in Cannock today is to be questioned by police.
Investigations are under way after two back rooms at the house in Saturn Road, High Town, caught fire.
Fire crews from Cannock and Penkridge attended the blaze at 5.20am.
On the way to the blaze, firefighters came across an 18-year-old man walking along nearby Huntington Terrace Road with serious burns to both arms. He was taken to Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham where police are waiting to speak to him.
The rear of the house was well alight but firefighters managed to get it under control and prevented flames from spreading to the main living areas.
The property, which is occupied by a family of adults, suffered extensive smoke damage.
Watch commander Martin Evans said: "It appears the lad with the burns had been sleeping in a back storeroom unbeknown to the occupiers – although he had stayed there previously and is thought to be a friend of a lad who lives at the house."
Detective Inspector Pete Wyatt said: "Five people inside the property were treated for minor smoke inhalation. We believe the fire originated from a storeroom at the rear of the property. Police are waiting to talk to an 18-year-old man from the Cannock area who was taken to Selly Oak Hospital after sustaining burns during the incident."
