Three teens held after mother's death in UK firework fire

Three teenagers have been arrested in connection with the death of a woman who died in a house fire started by a firework pushed through her door.

An 18-year-old man and two 17-year-old males, who are all from Bodmin, in Cornwall in England, are being held in custody awaiting interview.

Mother-of-nine Mary Fox, 59, was trapped in her bedroom after reportedly pushing her 17-year-old son Raum to safety through an upstairs window after the fire broke out at around 7.15pm last Thursday.

The remnants of a firework were found behind the front door of Mrs Fox’s house in Carpenter Court, Wallace Road, in Bodmin.

The men were arrested on suspicion of murder and are in custody.

After leaping from the three-storey house, Raum ran to alert neighbours that his mother was still trapped inside.

Firefighters found Mrs Fox dead in the same room from which her son escaped.

Officers have investigated claims that Raum, who has learning difficulties, was being bullied at school and that the family was targeted by youths who had been throwing fireworks in the street.

It is thought Raum moved from Bodmin College to St Austell College because of bullying.

But Devon and Cornwall police said there is no obvious evidence that Mrs Fox or Raum had been victims of bullying after speaking to schools and social services.

Mrs Fox had not made any complaints to police about harassment or intimidation.

Mrs Fox's family paid tribute to their "loving and caring" mother who devoted her life to her children.

In addition to Raum, Mrs Fox had eight other children aged between 20 and their mid-thirties.

In a statement, the family said: “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.”

Detectives stressed today that they are in the early stages of the investigation and are still appealing to anyone who may have any relevant information to call them.