Portchester fire trial: Jurors are shown photos of destruction as blaze took hold

The jury in the trial of Susan Thwaites has been shown pictures showing the destruction left by the blaze.
The fire in Kenwood Road, Portchester. Picture: @HampshireFireDogsThe fire in Kenwood Road, Portchester. Picture: @HampshireFireDogs
The fire in Kenwood Road, Portchester. Picture: @HampshireFireDogs

Jurors at Portsmouth Crown Court have been told Susan Thwaites, 57, set the lounge ablaze at her first-floor council flat at Kenwood Road in Portchester, where shouting, swearing, and the ‘comings and goings’ of people disturbed neighbours for years.

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Much of the lounge was destroyed at Thwaites’ home after the blaze took hold, the court heard.

The fire in Kenwood Road, Portchester. Picture: @HampshireFireDogsThe fire in Kenwood Road, Portchester. Picture: @HampshireFireDogs
The fire in Kenwood Road, Portchester. Picture: @HampshireFireDogs
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Fire investigator Andrew Earle, from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, said it was not possible to know what material was used to start the fire.

A roll-up cigarette had been found on the kitchen side, and a cigarette lighter near the burned mattress in a bedroom, he told jurors.

Crew manager Martin Earle, the investigator’s firefighter brother, was among the first to arrive at the blaze and cleared debris blocking the stairway to allow breathing apparatus teams in.

Susan Thwaites, 57, of Noctule Court, Knowle, outside Portsmouth Crown Court. Picture: Habibur RahmanSusan Thwaites, 57, of Noctule Court, Knowle, outside Portsmouth Crown Court. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Susan Thwaites, 57, of Noctule Court, Knowle, outside Portsmouth Crown Court. Picture: Habibur Rahman

A statement revealed how Mr Earle, who arrived on the water tender from Portchester station, could see ‘flames issuing from a large window in the first floor that had failed’.

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Mr Earle, in a statement read by prosecutor Oliver Weetch, said the flames were ‘licking up' and were about three meters high.

Jurors were told firefighters tackled the blaze but could not get into the lounge properly as objects blocked their way.

By the time the two Jack Russels had been found they were dead, the court heard.

Fire investigator Andrew Earle gave evidence at the trial of Susan Thwaites at Portsmouth Crown CourtFire investigator Andrew Earle gave evidence at the trial of Susan Thwaites at Portsmouth Crown Court
Fire investigator Andrew Earle gave evidence at the trial of Susan Thwaites at Portsmouth Crown Court

Mr Weetch told jurors: ‘We say that Miss Thwaites resented being forced out by her neighbours, the collective efforts of her neighbours and the council, and that may well have played a part in what happened on the 24th of July.’

(Proceeding)