Trio in court over firework death

Three teenagers have appeared in court accused of killing a woman in a house fire in Cornwall after a firework was pushed through her letterbox.

Mother-of-nine Mary Fox, 59, of Wallace Road, Bodmin, died in the blaze on Thursday 5 November.

Ryan Croft, 18, Samual Luckes, 17 - both from Bodmin - and Owen Hewitt, 17, from Kestennen, are charged with manslaughter.

The three entered no pleas during the hearing at Bodmin Magistrates' Court.

Cat rescue theory

They spoke only to confirm their names and addresses before being remanded in custody to appear at Truro Crown Court on 20 November.

Ms Fox's 17-year-old son, Raum, escaped from the property and raised the alarm.

It is believed Ms Fox had helped her son to escape from the property but was unable to save herself after remaining inside in an attempt to rescue her cat.

The remnants of a firework were found behind the front door of Ms Fox's house, police said.

Ms Fox had eight other children, all adults.