Hampshire Constabulary

A new team of officers has begun work in the continuing investigation into a fatal fire that took place nearly a year ago in Portsmouth.

At 12.51am on Monday, September 17, 2007, police were called by Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service to a block of flats in Milton Road, Southsea.

A fire which had been started at the bottom of a stairwell in the block had spread inside the building, and when one man opened the door of his flat on the top floor to see what was happening, it created a backdraft.

The effect of opening that door drew the flames momentarily into the man’s flat in a fireball, the effects of which killed 40-year-old Kevin Holmes, and seriously injured his 29-year-old flatmate.

The building had to be evacuated and many were unable to return to their homes for many weeks.

It’s now eleven months on and hundreds of police enquiries have been carried out, and are continuing to do so under the supervision of Detective Chief Inspector Gary O’Flaherty and Detective Inspector Jackie Rowlands.

Detective Chief Inspector Gary O’Flaherty, who is leading the new team, said, “This has been a long running enquiry which followed tragic events that shocked the local community in Milton last year. We are now trying to focus the minds of the public as the anniversary of the incident approaches to gather up any information that may not have already been brought to our attention.

“The investigating team who began this operation have done an excellent and very thorough job, and I’d like to clarify that this change in staffing is simply in response to the continuing demand on resources as crimes continue across the force. Many of the original team still remain, and some of the new investigators have been involved, to some degree, for many months. We will continue the sterling work of our colleagues in taking the operation forward and working to identify the offender.

“I would also like to appeal to anyone who has not already contacted police about the events of that night to think back – were you in the area at the time of the fire? Have you heard people talking about it since then? Did you see or hear anything suspicious or odd? Even the slightest detail may prove vital and so I’d encourage anyone who may be able to help to contact me as soon as possible.”