Tributes to victim of Bodmin house fire (From This is The West Country)

Tributes to victim of Bodmin house fire

11:48am Sunday 8th November 2009

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The children of a 59-year-old woman who died at her Bodmin home after a firework was allegedly put through her letterbox have paid tribute to their mother.

Adeline Fox, known as Mary to her family, died last Thursday evening after flames engulfed her home in Wallace Road.

Her 17-year-old son Raum managed to escape by jumping from a window.

A joint fire and police investigation team, which inlcuded a forensic scientist, found the remains of a discharged firework inside the house, in the doorway area.

As a result, police are now treating the incident as a murder investigation.

Mrs Fox's family have a released a statement through police, paying tribute to their mother.

It read: "We the sons and daughters of Mary would like to thank everyone for their kind words at this difficult time. We would also like to say a huge thank you to the fire service who tried to rescue our mother from this horrific fire that makes no sense.

"Our mum devoted her life to us her nine children and went without herself to provide the best that she could for us.

"She was at times, shall we say, eccentric; she had a sense of humour and was loving and caring. She never did anything to hurt anyone and never would. She would give her last penny to help those in less fortunate circumstances than herself."

Today a senior police officer described reports that mother-of-nine Mrs Fox or Raum were victims of systematic bullying as "purely speculation and unfounded at this time."

Following a meeting at 5pm yesterday, at which representatives from Bodmin College, St Austell College, Social Services, police and the mental health, housing, childrens, schools and families teams attended, Superintendent Martin Orpe said: "Initial enquires have revealed that there are no mental health issues in relation to either the deceased, Mary Fox, or her son Raum. However it is fair to say that Mary could have been regarded as eccentric.

"In relation to evidence of intimidation and bullying towards either Mary or Raum, again there is no obvious evidence that has come out of this meeting.

"To suggest that earlier press reports regarding the systematic intimidation or bullying of either of them was a cause of this incident is purely speculation and is unfounded at this time."

The police neighbourhood community office in Bodmin town centre has been open this weekend for members of the public to talk to officers if they had any questions or information to pass to police.

Increased police patrols have been taking place in the Berryfields estate, where the fire took place.

Police have said they are keen to reassure the public however that they strongly believe this is a "one-off" incident and the likelihood of any further incidents is very low.

Police are continuing to follow a number of lines of iquiry but still need members of the community to come forward with any information they may have.

Contact police on 08452 777444 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555111, ref 849 051109.

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