A BODY has been recovered following a devastating house fire that saw five teenagers arrested.
Emergency services raced to a property in Bideford, Devon, at around 8.30pm last week after flames tore through the home.
An investigation into the fire was immediately launched, resulting in the arrest of five teenagers.
Emergency crews combed the property for days with a man still unaccounted for in the wake of the tragic blaze.
On Sunday 2 November, a body was recovered from the property once part of the building was made safe by structural engineers.
Formal identification has yet to take place but the next of kin of the unaccounted for man have been informed.
Four boys and a girl aged between 13 and 15, and all from North Devon, were arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life.
All five have have since been released on police bail as the investigation into the tragedy continues.
A man in his 30s was previously arrested on suspicion of arson with intent to endanger life, he has been released on police bail.
DI Chris Lithgow from the Major Crime Investigation Team said: “I’d again like to thank the public for their patience, understanding and support during this investigation.
“We’ve been working with other agencies and have been able to reduce the cordon and allow for a significant number of displaced residents to return home.
“The remainder of those evacuated remain displaced due to structural issues. Our thoughts are with the family of the person whose body has been recovered from the property.
“We’d again like to urge the public not to speculate regarding this incident or the identities of those involved as it may risk jeopardising an active investigation.”
