Local appeal over fire death man

Police said local people could be vital to the investigation

Almost a month after a man died in a suspicious house fire in Lincolnshire, police have made an appeal for people who knew him locally to contact them.

Alexander James Ash, 74, died from the effects of breathing in smoke after the fire at his home in Boston on 12 March.

Lincolnshire Police believe the fire was started deliberately and are treating Mr Ash's death as murder.

Officers are now trying to trace anyone who knew Mr Ash from local gyms or nursing homes where he worked.

'Challenging investigation'

"We are endeavouring to trace people who knew James locally which is a very important part of the investigation," said senior investigating officer Det Supt Roger Bannister.

"This includes members of the Workhouse gym where James was a member and Creations gym where he was a former member.

"We are also in the process of contacting a number of local nursing homes to speak to anyone who used to work with James.

"This is a sensitive and challenging investigation but progress is being made," he said.

High visibility patrols are still being carried out in the area and house-to-house inquiries are continuing.