Detectives investigating the deaths of an elderly couple in a house fire in Alton have arrested four additional teenagers on suspicion of murder.
Police were called to reports of a blaze at a property in Heron Close at 4am on Monday 14 April. Emergency services attended the scene, but 91-year-old Stan Rickman and 88-year-old Roma Rickman were pronounced dead.
Four 15-year-old boys from Alton were arrested today as part of the ongoing investigation. A fifth teenager, also aged 15 from Alton, who had previously been arrested and released on bail, has been re-arrested on suspicion of murder. All five youths remain in police custody.
Two other suspects arrested earlier in the investigation remain on conditional bail – a 32-year-old man from Aldershot and a 16-year-old boy from Alton, both detained on suspicion of murder.
A 15-year-old boy from Bordon who was previously arrested on suspicion of murder has been released with no further action taken.
Detectives continue to appeal for information from the public as the investigation progresses. They are particularly keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed suspicious activity in the Heron Close area between midnight and 5am on 14 April.
Police are also requesting any CCTV, doorbell camera or dashcam footage from those hours which could assist the inquiry.
Anyone with information can contact police through the public portal at https://mipp.police.uk/operation/44HC25E03-PO1 or by telephoning 101, quoting reference 44250162068.
Information can also be provided anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or through their online form at crimestoppers-uk.org.
