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Five children have been arrested in relation to a murder investigation after a house fire earlier this week.
Emergency services were called to the scene of a house fire in a two-storey home on Honestone Street, Bideford, Devon, around 8.30pm on Tuesday.
An arson investigation was launched, and police have now confirmed it has been escalated to a murder investigation.
Four boys and a girl, all from North Devon and under the age of 18, have been arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, and remain in custody at this time.
One person is still missing after the fire, but his next of kin have been made aware.
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A man in his 30s, from Bideford, was previously arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life and has been released on police bail.
A scene guard is still in place, and some residents remain evacuated from their homes.
DI Chris Lithgow, from the Major Crime Investigation Team, said: ‘We are treating this as a murder investigation, as murder is one of several hypotheses currently being investigated by our officers.
‘We are working with the local authority to support the displaced residents and hope to enable them to return to their homes as soon as it is safe to do so.
‘This is a challenging investigation, and we are working tirelessly to establish the circumstances surrounding the fire. One man remains unaccounted for at this time.
‘We appreciate this is a worrying time for the local community, but I would like to thank residents for their patience and support. We would ask people not to speculate online regarding this incident.
‘There will continue to be a heightened police presence in the area and anybody with concerns or information is asked to approach our officers.’
Earlier this year, an elderly woman died in a suspected arson attack in Cwmbran, Wales.
A woman, 75, died at the scene, while a boy, 17, was arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
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