Murder charge after fire death

A woman has been charged with murder, following a fatal fire near Maidstone in Kent.

Kerry Hogbenn, aged 30, of Victoria Street, Eccles, was arrested following the death from smoke inhalation of twenty-seven year old Matthew Thatcher.

Mr Thatcher died when a fire ripped through the house on Victoria Street on Saturday evening.

Police officers and paramedics were first on the scene, but were beaten back by flames as they attempted to pull the man to safety.

Military crews wearing breathing apparatus managed to get Mr Thatcher out but he died later in hospital.

A number of firefighters left their picket line to help in the operation.