Everything we know about the Tunstall Village Green investigation as body found named as Sunderland man Mark Herron
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The discovery came after a fire at the detached garage of a house in Tunstall Village Green, which was left “significantly damaged” in the blaze.
Northumbria Police officers were called to the scene following the fire, which took place on Tuesday, February 18 and on Monday, February 24, the force announced that the death was being treated as suspicious.
When were the emergency services called?
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Hide AdFirefighters were called to the property at 8.30pm on Tuesday, February 18 to reports of a fire at a garage.
All crews were reported to have left the scene around 12 hours after the initial call came in – by 9am on Wednesday, February 19.
On Monday, Northumbria Police confirmed that an investigation had been launched following the discovery of human remains in the aftermath of the blaze.
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Hide AdDetectives are now working to establish a timeline of what happened before the fire.
Who is the victim?
On Wednesday, February 26 Northumbria Police named 53-year-old Mark Herron, of New Silksworth, as the person whose remains were found in the aftermath of the fire.
A post-mortem exam, held on Tuesday, found that Mark died as a result of the fire.
Specialist officers continue to support his family, who paid tribute to him in a statement.
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Hide AdThey said: “We are absolutely devastated by Mark’s death. Words can’t describe the pain we are feeling as we try to come to terms with our loss.
“He was a much-loved member of our family, and whilst he would have been the first to acknowledge he had his problems in recent years, he was a kind man at heart.
“We would like to thank the community for the messages we have received since this tragic news, and would ask that our privacy is respected at this time.”
Has anyone been arrested?
Northumbria Police confirmed to the Echo on Monday that a 38-year-old man had been arrested on suspicion of murder in the days following the blaze on Sunday, February 23.
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Hide AdSpeaking on Tuesday, a force spokeswoman said that the man has now been released under investigation.
A police presence remains at Tunstall Village Green, with a cordon in place, while officers continue inquiries in the area.
Forensic teams also attended the scene on Wednesday.
What happens next?
Detective Inspector Graeme Dodds, the senior investigating officer on the case, urged the public to come forward with any information that could be relevant.
He told residents that specialist forensic and fire investigatory work at the scene will take "considerable amount of time to complete” before the remains can be formally identified.
In calling for the public’s help, the officer added: “That could prove the key to ensuring swift and robust action is taken against anybody found to be responsible.”