Detectives re-arrest suspect as part Patryk Mortimer murder probe

A man first arrested on suspicion of murder following a fatal blaze has been placed on bail again as inquiries continue.
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The 39-year-old was staying on the ground floor and was unable to escape the smoke, heat and fumes as the fire started shortly before 3am on Saturday, November 3, 2018 – nine others managed to escape.

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Police on the scene of the blaze which killed Patryk Mortimer.Police on the scene of the blaze which killed Patryk Mortimer.
Police on the scene of the blaze which killed Patryk Mortimer.

It says inquiries are still ongoing into the case, which has previously seen five other people arrested and released by police.

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The update comes as Sunderland’s Coroner’s Court prepares to hold an inquest review into Patryk’s death, with a hearing scheduled to take place at Sunderland Civic Centre on Tuesday, September 12, at 10am.

The aftermath of the blaze inside the former Manor House Care Home.The aftermath of the blaze inside the former Manor House Care Home.
The aftermath of the blaze inside the former Manor House Care Home.
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His death was caused by the inhalation of smoke and heat, which reached temperatures of 1,000 degrees as the large building burned.

Photos released by officers show the devastation caused by the fire to the home, which is just off the High Street.

The evening before, he and others staying in the House in Multi-Occupation (HMO) had been in the New Inn for a drink before collecting more supplies from a shop and then back to the property.

More than 600 hours of CCTV has been gathered by police as part of their inquiries, with dozens of people interviewed as officers piece together what happened in the lead-up to the fire, which was battled by six crews of firefighters from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service after its firefighters helped people to safety.

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