Harrowing moment arsonist smashes window before setting fatal house fire in Wolverhampton 'hate crime'

9 July 2024, 15:57

CCTV shows Wolverhampton arson attack

By Henry Moore

Shocking footage showing an arsonist setting a Wolverhampton home ablaze, leaving one dead and two in critical condition, has been shared by police.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

West Midlands Police are seeking information regarding the murder of Akashdeep Singh, 26, amid a fire at his family home in Plascom Road, East Park in the early hours of June 25.

The dramatic footage shows a hooded figure approaching the house before smashing its front window and pouring in what police said was petrol.

The arsonist then sets the accelerant alight setting the house on fire, which tragically led to the death of Mr Singh.

Det Supt Shaun Edwards, from the Major Crime Unit, told LBC: “We now know that at least one person approached the address, took great effort to smash the window... used an accelerant we believe is petrol and set alight to the house.

Shocking footage shows an unknown arsonist setting a Wolverhampton hole ablaze, leaving one dead.
Shocking footage shows an unknown arsonist setting a Wolverhampton hole ablaze, leaving one dead. Picture: West Midlands Police

“There were four people in the house and tragically as a result of the devastating fire that was caused, 26-year-old Akashdeep Singh lost his life and two of his family members remain in hospital.”

Shaun Edwards added police believe the perpetrator did not act alone and may have been injured by the fire.

He said: “My ask is, who knows that person? Who assisted them? What was the reason for doing this? Why was the house targeted?”

Turning his attention to the attacker, he added: “Your actions have caused devastating consequences for the family…do the right thing and come to the police.”

The attack smashed the window before pouring what police believe to be petrol into the house.
The attack smashed the window before pouring what police believe to be petrol into the house. Picture: West Midlands Police

West Midland’s Police are keeping an “open mind” as to the motives behind this attack, and have not ruled out that it could be a hate crime.

Speaking in a plea for information shared on YouTube, Det Supt Edwards added: “Investigators have worked closely with our fire service colleagues as we continue to progress the murder enquiry and we are now in a position to release footage which we believe will help us bring the perpetrator to justice.

“We believe one offender did leave the scene heading in the direction of East Park and we are considering the possibility that they may have some burn injuries themselves.”

If you have any information regarding the attack, contact West Midlands Police at 101 or speak anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Tom Howard

British tourist killed after being struck by boulder on trek through Himalayas

In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Emergency Service, a car burns following a Russian missile attack that killed more than a dozen people, including children, in Kryvyi Rih, Ukraine, Friday, April 4, 2025. (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP)

Russia kills 14 people including three children in airstrike on Zelenskyy's home town, with dozens wounded

Travel influencer Mykhailo Viktorovych Polyakov, 24, made an illegal visit to North Sentinel Island

Tourist who left Coke for world's most isolated tribe 'could have wiped them all out' - and police 'can't go collect can'

Club house covered in red paint as members of group Palestine action caused damage to the Trump owned site of Trump Turnberry Golf Club in Scotland.

Police arrest man, 33, and woman, 55, after Donald Trump's Scottish golf course vandalised with red paint

Man, 23, who gouged out pensioner's eyes before beating him to death with his own walking stick locked up indefinitely

Man, 23, who gouged pensioner's eyes out before beating him to death with his own walking stick locked up indefinitely

The FTSE 100 plummeted on Friday

UK stock market plunges amid Trump tariff chaos as FTSE 100 suffers worst trading losses in five years

The scene at Beckenham Place Park

London park evacuated as police search for teenage boy who went missing while swimming in lake

Tommy Robinson pictured last year

Tommy Robinson in bid for freedom with appeal against contempt of court jail sentence after libelling teen refugee

Layla Allen died at the scene

'Cherished beyond words': Family pay tribute to 'shining light' 13-year-old killed in Merseyside house fire

Russell Brand

Russell Brand breaks silence after actor and comedian charged with rape and sexual assaults

White House weighs in to support ‘censored’ anti-abortion activists in Britain

White House looking to support ‘censored’ anti-abortion activists in Britain

Sean "Diddy" Combs.

Sean 'Diddy' Combs charged with two further counts of sex trafficking

XL Bully (FILE)

XL Bully on the loose after drive-by shooting in Sheffield as police issue urgent safety warning

Peter Serafinowicz and Sarah Alexander have split.

Amandaland star and comedian Peter Serafinowicz splits from actress wife after 23 years

Russel Brand

Comedian and actor Russell Brand charged with rape and sexual assaults

Prison nurse, 27, suspended over 'fling with drug-dealing killer' in England's worst jail

Prison nurse, 27, suspended over 'fling with drug-dealing killer' in England's worst jail