Flat fire man conscious (From Swindon Advertiser)

Flat fire man conscious

1:51pm Wednesday 21st November 2012 in News By Scott D'Arcy

THE MAN severely burned in a fire at his flat, which also left one woman dead, has regained consciousness today.

The 25-year-old man, believed to be Sam Vaughan, was taken to Frenchay Hospital in Bristol suffering from burns and the effects of smoke inhalation after the fire in Thorley Court, Abbey Meads on Monday morning.

The man remains in intensive care at Frenchay Hospital in Bristol, but his condition is now described as stable.

Meanwhile, a post mortem examination on the 32-year-old woman was conducted by a Home Office pathologist at Flax Bourton near Bristol yesterday.

But the cause of death will not be known until a number of toxicology tests have been completed.

Formal identification of the woman is expected later today.

At this early stage in the investigation police are treating the woman’s death as unexplained.

Det Insp Matt Davey of the Brunel Major Crime Investigation Team said: "The exact circumstances of how this fire started are yet to be established and we will obviously be speaking to the man who is in hospital as part of our investigation.

"Clearly, his welfare takes priority and I will be guided by his doctors to let me know when this will be possible."

The police tape has been removed from outside the flats at Thorley Court, Abbey Meads but police are maintaining a presence until the front doors damaged during the evacuation of residents have been repaired and made secure. This is likely to be concluded during the afternoon.

Anyone who has information, or was in the area of Thorley Court between the hours of 10.30pm on Sunday 18 November and 2.30am on Monday is asked to contact Wiltshire Police via 101 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.