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Man dies after lit firework set off inside his home

Anthony Nicholls dies five days after blaze

Samuel Osborne
Wednesday 08 November 2017 04:45 EST
Handout photo issued by the West Midlands Police of firework damage inside Anthony Nicholls's property
Handout photo issued by the West Midlands Police of firework damage inside Anthony Nicholls's property (West Midlands Police/PA Wire)

A man has died in a suspected arson attack after a lit firework set off inside his home in Birmingham.

Anthony Nicholls, 56, had been in an induced coma since the attack on Thursday.

He did not regain consciousness and died on 7 November.

The deadly blaze in Birchtrees Drive was started when a 200-shot firework was planted and ignited inside the victim's home, after the front door had been forced.

It would have taken around two minutes to fully discharge.

Mr Nicholls' house quickly caught fire and the open plan living accommodation was gutted, police said.

His partner, a 50-year-old woman, escaped the house with fractures to her lower limbs after jumping from a first floor window. She remains in hospital.

Detective Inspector Paul Joyce said: "The impact would have been terrifying for the occupants and I would urge anyone who sold or is missing a firework of this size to get in touch.

The deadly blaze started when 200-shot firework was planted and ignited inside Anthony Nicholls home after the front door was forced
The deadly blaze started when 200-shot firework was planted and ignited inside Anthony Nicholls home after the front door was forced (Aaron Chown/PA)

"This would have been a large heavy firework that would have been difficult to carry some distance, so I would ask anyone who saw someone carrying a large box in the area last Thursday night to contact us."

He said officers were studying CCTV, but also called for members of the public who had home security camera footage and had not yet done so to share it with police.

Information can be given to police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

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