Arson death man had fire-risk job

Richard Watkins had been drinking in a pub the night he died

A director of a fire-risk assessment company who died in a suspected arson attack has been named by police.

Richard Watkins was pronounced dead at the scene of the blaze in Fairwater, Cardiff in the early hours of Tuesday.

Mr Watkins, 38, was the director of Principality Risk Services, which specialises in online fire-risk assessments, police confirmed.

He would have turned 39 on Wednesday, was seen drinking in local pubs until late the night before the fire.

Crews called to tackle a blaze started in an armchair on the ground floor of the flats in Fairwater found Mr Watkins's body in the top storey.

The fire broke out at the flats in Fairwood Road at about 0120 BST on Tuesday.

Police said it started in an armchair in the hallway and caused excessive smoke damage to the hall and stairway.

Mr Watkins was a sociable and well-liked member of the community Det Supt Paul Burke

A post mortem examination confirmed Mr Watkins died of smoke inhalation.

Det Supt Paul Burke, who is leading the investigation, said they were "keeping an open mind" about who started the fire.

More than 50 officers are working on the inquiry.

Mr Watkins had been drinking at the Butchers pub in Llandaff on Monday evening, having been to a funeral earlier that day, he said.

He left the pub at about 2330 BST and made his way to the Maltsters pub nearby but left shortly after on his own.

Mr Burke said they want to speak to anyone, including taxi drivers, who may have seen Mr Watkins leaving the pub or going home.

Movements

"Our thoughts remain with Richard Watkins's family, who are being supported by a family liaison officer, and his many friends," he said.

The detective added: "We need help establishing Mr Watkins's movements between leaving the Maltsters and arriving home."

"Mr Watkins was a sociable and well-liked member of the community particularly in the Butchers public house in nearby Llandaff where he was a regular customer."

He said officers want to speak to anyone who was near the flats on Monday night into the early hours of Tuesday, saying they could have information vital to the inquiry.

Scenes of crimes officers are continuing their examinations and house-to-house enquiries are continuing.

Principality Risk Services have declined to comment.

Anyone with information should contact the police incident room on 029 2057 1530 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.