Detectives believe an arson attack which left a 56-year-old man fighting for his life in hospital may be linked to a commercial-sized firework.
West Midlands Police are appearing for information to help trace anyone who bought the multi-shot firework from a shop in or around the Tile Cross area of Birmingham.
The victim remains in an induced coma after the fire at his home around 11pm on Thursday, believed to have been started deliberately by the firework.
(Aaron Chown/PA)
The man was taken to hospital with serious burns and smoke inhalation, along with a 50-year-old woman who suffered broken legs after jumping from a first floor window.
Detective Chief Inspector Sarah Burton, from force CID, said: “The firework found inside the property was a multi-shot commercial-sized box-shaped firework.
“This type of firework is designed for an outdoor public display in a field or similar open space, so the impact in a small house would have been absolutely frightening.
“The house set alight immediately and the blaze spread quickly throughout the open plan property.
(Aaron Chown/PA)
“We are keen to speak to any retailers who have sold this type of firework recently and anyone who knows of someone who had anything of this size in their possession.
“We are still trying to understand why this couple were targeted and would ask anyone with any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact us.”Anyone with information is asked to call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.