Fatal blaze could have been arson

A fire which claimed the life of a grandfather may have been started by arsonists, it emerged today. Barry Allen, aged 65, died after a ferocious blaze at his house in Teme Road, Halesowen.

The father-of-three had cried out for help from an upstairs window and neighbours rushed to his aid as flames tore through the three-storey property in the early hours of Friday.

However, Mr Allen later died at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham. His children were at his bedside.

West Midlands Fire service spokesman Mike Fox confirmed today fire investigators were treating the cause of the fire as suspicious. Police are also involved in the probe but refused to comment on whether they were now launching a murder investigation.

Mr Allen's daughter Beverly Brettle said the news the fire may have been started deliberately was awful.

"I can't think why anybody would want to hurt dad," she said.

"He had a full diary for the next few weeks and I can't think he would have done anything himself.

"I've been told he was seen at the Chinese at 11.30pm and he was acting quite normally. But it's quite awful that it's suspicious."

Mrs Brettle, who lives in Weston-super-Mare, has returned to the street to thank residents who tried to save her father's life.