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Elderly couple in house fire murder inquiry named

Family handout Stan and Roma Rickman are side-by-side and smiling at the camera. Mr Rickman, who is bald with light grey hair, wears a half-unzipped blue sports coat and a checked shirt. His wife has short, white hair and wears a green fleece over a black buttoned top.Family handout
Stan and Roma Rickman died as a result of the fire at their home, police said

An elderly husband and wife who died in a house fire that prompted a murder inquiry have been named by police.

Detectives and firefighters were called at 04:00 BST on Monday to a property in Heron Close in Alton, Hampshire.

Stan Rickman, 91, and Roma Rickman, 88, died as a result of the blaze, police have confirmed.

A 16-year-old boy, from Alton, was arrested on suspicion of murder on Thursday and released on bail the following day.

A police van and a uniformed officer stand behind police tape at a detached two-storey house. A few of the roof tiles are missing.
Police are investigating a fire at the couple's home in Heron Close

In a statement issued through the police, the couple's family said they "would like to thank everyone who has left flowers and kind messages".

They also asked for their privacy to be respected.

Detectives have repeated an appeal for information about any suspicious behaviour in the Heron Close area between midnight and 05:00 on Monday.

Officers have also requested footage from CCTV, doorbell cameras and dashcams.

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