Man accused of hospice arson dies in prison

Rodney Smith, of Quarry Hill, St Leonards, was accused of arson with intent to endanger life after the fire in July 2015.

The 67-year-old was a terminally-ill patient at the hospice at the time of the blaze, which claimed the lives of two other patients.

Mr Smith was remanded in custody at Lewes Prison where he passed away last Monday, according to BBC News reports.

He had been due to appear before Lewes Crown Court on Friday as the only suspect in the arson investigation.

A Sussex Police spokesperson has said Mr Smith’s death is not being treated as suspicious.

Jill Moon, 62, and David Denness, 81, suffered smoke inhalation in the fire and died later in hospital.

For more information on the incident, click here.

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