Three arrested on suspicion of manslaughter after teenage girl dies in fire

20 November 2023 , 10:55

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Leah Casson died in a suspected arson attack in January (Image: PA)

Three people have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter 10 months after a teenager died in a tragic house fire.

Leah Casson, 18, lost her life in a blaze at a property in Vicarage Street, North Shields, a town in the Borough of North Tyneside in Tyne and Wear, in January. Three people managed to escape but suffered serious injuries.

Northumbria Police have now said a woman in her 40s and two men aged between 35 and 40 have been arrested in connection with Leah's death and released on bail. They have not been charged and inquiries are ongoing, the force added.

A Northumbria Police spokesperson said: "As part of our ongoing investigation into the tragic death of Leah Casson, a woman in her 40s and two men aged between 35 and 40 have been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. All three have since been released on bail.

The scene on Vicarage Street in North Shields (Craig Connor/ChronicleLive)

"Our enquiries remain ongoing and we would ask people not to speculate about the case on social media and in the wider community." Following Leah's death, her devastated parents described her as "outgoing" and "bubbly".

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They said in a statement: "As a family we are totally devastated by what has happened. Leah was an outgoing, bubbly young woman who we loved so much, and we can’t believe she has gone. Please let us grieve for her as a family and respect our privacy at this time."

Leah died in the house fire (Newcastle Chronicle)

At the time of the incident, Detective Inspector Louise Jenkins, the Senior Investigating Officer said: "Our thoughts are with Leah’s friends and family at this incredibly difficult time. Not only have they sustained injuries themselves and lost their home, but they have to come to terms with the loss of a loved one, and we’d ask their privacy is respected while they grieve.

"Our investigation remains ongoing and will do so until we can establish exactly what happened, and how Leah came to pass away. We are not ruling anything out and are currently treating the incident as suspected arson, but are asking anyone who has information or who thinks they can assist us, to come forward."

Chiara Fiorillo