Police wait to question hospice arson suspect

A man arrested on suspicion of the murder of two residents who died in an arson attack on a hospice is still awaiting questioning as he lies ill in hospital.

The 67-year-old was detained following the blaze at St Michael's Hospice in St Leonards, East Sussex, in the early hours of Saturday. A woman aged 62 and an 81-year-old man died after suffering smoke inhalation.

Another resident, a 78-year-old woman, also died on Saturday but police do not believe her death is connected to the fire. A Sussex Police spokesman said the 67-year-old suspect, who is known to the hospice, is ill in hospital.

Fire, ambulance and police all declared the blaze a major incident and 23 residents and nine staff were evacuated. Detective Chief Inspector Mark Preston, of the Surrey and Sussex Major Crime Team, said: "The arrested man is unable to be questioned currently due to his ill health.

"This is a complicated investigation and further inquiries are being carried out to establish the cause of death of the residents. "This is an extremely difficult time for the residents and staff of St Michael's Hospice and for the families of the residents who have sadly passed away."