Mother dies in flat blaze

A post mortem examination on Tuesday morning failed to determine the cause of death and further pathology tests will be carried out over coming weeks.

A 40-year-old man who was in the property at the time of the blaze, and who was treated at the Conquest Hospital for the effects of smoke inhalation, was arrested by police on suspicion of murder.

He was questioned by detectives at Eastbourne police station, but on Tuesday evening he was released on bail until July 19, pending further enquiries.

Ms Reynolds’ son, Aaron, 15, a student at Bexhill High School, was on a school camping trip at the time of the tragedy. It is understood he is now being cared for by his maternal grandmother.

Fire crews were alerted shortly after midnight and three fire engines and an aerial ladder raced to the blaze in Ms Reynolds flat, located in a four-storey terraced building and above consultant opticians Green and Elliott.

The first appliance arrived just eight minutes after the alarm was raised and firefighters wearing breathing apparatus used three hose reel jets and a main jet to tackle the blaze.

They rescued the woman from inside the building but ambulance crews were unable to save her life, and she was declared dead shortly after 1am. Two pet dogs in the flat also died.

Since the fire, police have been making door-to-door enquiries in Sackville Road and surrounding streets. Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Sussex Police on 0845 60 70 999, quoting Operation Kingshill.

As news of the tragedy spread, flowers were left at the door of the flat, which was kept under constant guard by police as fire investigators and scenes-of-crime officers went about their work.

Among tributes was a floral depiction of the word “Sis”, bearing the poignant message: “You are my big sis. I love and miss you more than can be believed, Bri.”

Detective Chief Inspector Nick May, leading the enquiry for Sussex Police Major Crime Branch, said: “The cause of the fire is still being investigated.

“There was significant fire and smoke damage throughout the flat and we are not currently in a position to conclusively state how and where the fire broke out.”

A neighbour, Heather Campbell, said firefighters had been quick to bring the blaze under control, but added: “It was pretty scary. There was a lot of smoke about.”

Mick Reynolds, Debbie’s uncle, a painter and decorator from nearby Egerton Road, paid tribute to her. He said: “She was a hard-working girl employed at various local nursing homes, including Peterhouse, and she worked hard for Aaron. It’s been a big shock to the family. Very tragic.”

In her younger days, Ms Reynolds is understood to have been a pupil at St Mary Magdalene’s primary school in Hastings Road, Bexhill.

At Bexhill High School, principal Mike Conn said her son Aaron had been away on a BTEC weekend camping trip at Hindleap Warren, Forest Row, near East Grinstead, at the time of the fire.

The school had sent a member of staff to accompany a police officer given the grim task of breaking news of his mother’s death to Aaron, whom Mr Conn feared might learn of the tragedy on the social networking site, Facebook.

On Monday morning, he shared the sad news with pupils and staff. He said: “We will be doing everything we can to support Aaron. He is such a lovely boy. This is such a tragedy for any young person to face. We will support him throughout.“

He added: “We make sure the whole school is aware if one of our people is suffering. Whenever we’ve had tragedy in our school we have all pulled together.”

Mark Webb, East Sussex Fire and Rescue Service’s station manager for Bexhill and Battle, said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the woman’s family at this terrible time.

“ESFRS will be in the local community this week to offer reassurance to residents and to deliver advice for keeping safe at home from the dangers of fire. Our community safety team cam be contacted on 0800 1177 7069.”

* Monday’s blaze recalled another flat fire in Sackville Road - without suspicious circumstances - in late August 2004 in which 54-year-old language tutor Sheila Hill died, despite courageous attempts by a house guest to save her. Husband Alan and their four children escaped.