Officers in Portsmouth will be handing out leaflets, sending out texts and speaking to residents in Southsea as the anniversary of a fatal fire in Milton Road approaches.
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. It is thought the two men were innocent victims of a deliberate arson attack.
The building had to be evacuated and many were unable to return to their homes for many weeks.
One year on and police are still working to identify those who carried out such a vicious attack, and are appealing to the public for their help, with a number of interviews with those whose lives were touched by this tragic incident.
On the evening of Tuesday, September 16 officers will be patrolling the area surrounding the building on Milton Road, marking the year anniversary by speaking to residents, visiting the local pubs, and handing out leaflets which appeal for information, detailing the night’s events and featuring a photograph of Kevin Holmes.
A special Bluetooth message has also been created and will be sent out a number of times throughout the evening, reinforcing the appeal from the police.
The Safer Neighbourhoods community van will also be nearby, available for people to come and have a chat or inform officers of anything they may know about the incident.
DCI Gary O’Flaherty said, “Though many people have contacted us, both immediately after the fire and in the months since then, we believe there are still people out there who know something about this fire. They may have heard something but don’t think it’s important, or they may know it’s important but not want to come forward.
“I want to reassure people that we will do everything we can to help them if they need support in telling us what they know. Every tiny detail must be gathered so that we can catch the people who started this fire and affected countless people’s lives in the process.
“We also have reason to believe that there may be people in the Sussex area who have knowledge that may be pertinent to this investigation, and I want to extend this appeal to them. If you know anything at all, please call now and help us to solve this murder.”
Can you help?
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Operation Romsey team on 0845 045 45 45 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111. Mini-Com users can call 01962 875000.
Notes to editors: Please find attached a photograph of the deceased, Kevin Holmes. There are a number of interviews available in connection with this appeal, including:
- DCI Gary O’Flaherty (the officer in charge of the case)
- Area Manager Andy Bowers (the fire officer who managed the rescue operation on the night of the fire)
- The neighbour who lived next door to the deceased man and his flatmate in the block of flats
- The landlord of the Brewers Arms pub, who took in the evacuated residents from the flats on the night of the fire
- Mr Holmes’ family
If you are interested in any of these please call Liz Harding to arrange on 02392 891540.
