Chatham fire: 'Estranged husband' arrested in Coventry

[dutchman]

A man arrested over the death of a 22-year-old mother and her 15-month-old son in a house fire in Chatham is believed to be her estranged husband.



The man, named locally as Danai Muhammadi, 23, and a 37-year-old man were arrested in Coventry on Saturday on suspicion of murder.

The victims of the fire in Chatham Hill are believed to be Melissa Crook and her son Noah.

Three other people - thought to be her parents and brother - were also hurt.

Broken ankles

A 49-year-old man is being treated for life-threatening burns while a 39-year-old woman is being treated for burns and smoke inhalation injuries.

A 21-year-old man is being treated for broken ankles after escaping the fire. Both are said to be stable in hospital.

They have been named locally as Mark and Amanda Crook and their son Bohdan.

Neighbouring terraced houses had to be evacuated at the height of the fire, which started at 02:30 BST on Saturday.

Andy Merriman, from Kent Fire and Rescue, said firefighters had managed to stop the "extreme" fire spreading to nearby houses.

Kent Police, who confirmed that it was being treated as suspicious, have appealed for any witnesses to contact them.

[dutchman]

Husband charged with double murder



A man has been charged with murdering his estranged wife and 15-month old son who died in a house fire in Kent.

Danai Muhammadi, 23, a car salesman from Britannia Street in Coventry, has also been charged with three counts of attempted murder.

Melissa Crook and her son Noah are believed to have died in the blaze at a house in Chatham on Saturday. Police have not formally identified them.

Police said Mr Muhammadi will appear at Medway Magistrates' Court on Wednesday.

The fire began in the early hours of Saturday at a two-storey terraced house in Chatham Hill.

Three other people - thought to be Ms Crook's parents Mark and Amanda and her brother Bohdan - were also hurt in the incident.

Two other suspects, a 35-year-old man from Maidstone, and a 21-year-old woman from Coventry, remain in custody.

A fourth person, a 37-year-old man from Coventry, has been released on police bail until 24 October.

[dutchman]

Chatham fatal fire: Woman, 21, faces charges

A third person charged in connection with the deaths of a mother and her 15-month-old son in a house fire in Kent has been remanded in custody.

Emma Smith, 21, of Coventry, has been charged with conspiracy to murder and arson with intent to endanger life.

Ms Crook's estranged husband Danai Muhammadi, 23, and Farhad Mahmud, 35, have both been charged with murder.

Ms Smith, of Barley Lea, Stoke Aldermore, appeared before Medway magistrates on Thursday and was remanded in custody to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday.

'Life-threatening condition'

Kent Police said Ms Smith was Mr Muhammadi's girlfriend.

Mr Muhammadi, of Britannia Street, Coventry, and Mr Mahmud, of Kensington House, Maidstone, were remanded in custody by Medway magistrates on Wednesday.

The pair, who have also been charged with three counts of attempted murder, are due to appear at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday.

The fire began in the early hours of Saturday at a two-storey terraced house in Chatham Hill.

Three other people - Ms Crook's parents Mark and Amanda and her 21-year-old brother Bohdan - were also injured in the fire.

Mr Crook, 49, remains in a life-threatening condition in East Grinstead Hospital, while his wife, 49, and son have been discharged.

A fourth person, a 37-year-old man from Coventry, has been released on police bail until 24 October.