Luton flat fire: A man fell to his death from a burning high-rise building after police arrived to catch an arsonist | United Kingdom news

A man fell to his death from a burning apartment building after police arrived to pursue an alleged arsonist living there.

Detectives investigated three arson attempts on local properties in the early hours of Wednesday and used CCTV footage to identify a suspect living on the 14th floor of an apartment in Green Court, Luton, Bedfordshire.

Five police officers were sent to the home, in a 15-story building, around 4 a.m. Thursday, but arrived and found the entrance on fire.

They tried to get inside to save the man, but the flames were contained, police said.

One of the officers suffered severe burns and was hospitalized on Friday.

The others were treated for “minor injuries and smoke inhalation” and were discharged.

Emergency services were called to the scene, but police said “the fire engulfed the apartment even more” before the 50-year-old fell out of a window and died.

He was not officially identified until Friday afternoon.

Police contacted close relatives of the person they believed to be, while the matter was referred to the Independent Police Conduct Service.

Assistant Chief of Staff Sharne Basra said: “This is a tragic case and we are working hard to establish all the facts about what happened.

“Our focus on Thursday was on identifying the deceased man and tracing his family members before releasing any additional information to the public.

“We also carefully extracted all possible evidence from the scene and helped the residents who were displaced from their homes.

“What is clear from the evidence gathered so far is the courage of the police officer present, who tried to fight through the flames to save the man inside.

“Our thoughts remain with him as he recovers in hospital and with the relatives of the man who unfortunately died.”

More than 100 residents were evacuated from the building on Thursday morning, with most being sent back to their apartments by evening.

Anyone with information that could help the investigation has been asked to call 101 or contact police via beds.police.uk/ro/report, citing Operation Cheagle.