West Midlands Fire Service Investigator recognised by Staffordshire Police for crucial evidence gathering in murder case
A West Midlands Fire Service watch commander has been honoured for his pivotal role in gathering evidence that led to a murder conviction in Stoke-on-Trent.
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Andrew Huckle from the Fire Investigation and Prevention Section (FIPS) at West Midlands Fire Service (WMFS) was commended by the Specialist Crime Command of Staffordshire Police at their awards evening.
On February 9 2023, Staffordshire and West Midlands Fire Control received the first of several 999 calls reporting a fire at Campbell Road in Stoke-on-Trent, with the body of a woman discovered in a property that was severely damaged by the blaze.
Working alongside WMFS Fire Investigation colleagues, Tom Edwards and Luke Beckett, Mr Huckle was responsible for processing the scene and documenting crucial evidence.
His thorough search of the property and debris samples confirmed that petrol had been used at the scene and poured over the victim before being ignited.
The vital evidence gathered by Mr Huckle, his colleagues, and the East Midlands Fire Investigation dog team contributed significantly to the woman’s ex-husband being convicted of murder and jailed for at least 29 years.
He said: “I’m extremely proud to have been recognised for my work, albeit in tragic circumstances.
“We worked long days under very challenging conditions to piece together the available evidence, and the prosecution is a testament to a real collective effort.”
