There was no harm in the lad, it's just sad...

Neighbours tell of agony over death as murder-probe police make arrest

- JOSEPH TIMAN

NEIGHBOURS of a man who died in a suspected arson attack which left him trapped in his own home say they are ‘traumatised’.

The victim, who was in his 40s and has been named locally as Mark Vernal, was rushed to hospital with life-threatening injuries following the fire at the property on Dumbarton Green in Wigan on Wednesday morning. He later died in hospital.

A murder investigation has now been launched by Greater Manchester Police who have arrested a 48-year-old man on suspicion of murder and section 18 assault. GMP’s Crime Scene Investigation team were still at the scene over the weekend.

Flowers were left near the property as forensics officers continued their investigation. The M.E.N. spoke to some of Mr Vernal’s neighbours, however, many were still too shaken up by the incident to talk, describing it as a ‘traumatic experience’.