Neighbours shock as human remains found after Tunstall Village Green garage fire lead to murder probe

Neighbours living close to the scene of a murder inquiry launched after human remains were found in the aftermath of a blaze in a Sunderland garage have spoken of their shock.
By Poppy Kennedy and Fiona Thompson
Published 24th Feb 2020, 18:25 BST
Updated 24th Feb 2020, 21:17 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Today, Monday, February 24, Northumbria Police confirmed it had launched a probe after the discovery of a body following the fire, which caused significant damage to the detached garage of a house in Tunstall Village Green.

As a result of fire, which broke out at 8.30pm on Tuesday, February 18, an investigation was launched and as inquiries were carried out, officers discovered the human remains under substantial and dense rubble.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is in custody this evening.

One woman who lives nearby and asked not to be named said: “Police left for a day after the fire but they’ve been here constantly since.

“We’d heard on social media rumours that the remains of a body had been found.

“Silksworth is agog.

“It’s been like this constantly, there’s been a magnitude of cars either fire, police, CID. Just constant cars.

Police on the scene of the murder inquiry in Tunstall Village Green following a garage blaze last week. Picture by Frank Reid.Police on the scene of the murder inquiry in Tunstall Village Green following a garage blaze last week. Picture by Frank Reid.
Police on the scene of the murder inquiry in Tunstall Village Green following a garage blaze last week. Picture by Frank Reid.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It’s a shock but once the forensics turned up you think something like that - they don’t turn up for nothing.”

Another woman said: “I’m shaking it’s really shocked me. The fire was bad enough.

“We were in when it happened, we just thought oh god the garage is on fire - it’s a really big garage.

“But a murder - I’ve got shivers, that is a massive shock.

Police remained at the house today as the probe continued.Police remained at the house today as the probe continued.
Police remained at the house today as the probe continued.

“There was a multitude of five engines - it was a huge fire.

“It took a lot of putting out the firefighters did well.

“It’s so close to next door the little bungalow.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“They did a marvellous job, some of them were there all night.

Inquiries were launched as part of an investigation into a fire in the garage of a house in Tunstall Village Green.Inquiries were launched as part of an investigation into a fire in the garage of a house in Tunstall Village Green.
Inquiries were launched as part of an investigation into a fire in the garage of a house in Tunstall Village Green.

“The police did come along and say don’t be alarmed by a big police presence obviously they have to investigate the fire but that was it.

“When there’s a big fire you expect there to be an investigation I don’t think people will have thought anything about it.

“It does make me feel really shocked, it’s taken the wind out of my sail.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service spokesman said: “We are extremely saddened by this incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of the victim. We will continue to support the police investigation in any way that we can.”